Prevalence of Hb S (HHB: c.20A > T) in a Honduran Population of African Descent

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is the most common hemoglobinopathy worldwide, particularly in Africa and among people of African descent. Serious clinical consequences characterize the homozygous condition. To determine the prevalence of Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T) and anemia in a community of people of African descent from Honduras, 202 individuals were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The high prevalence found indicates that it is necessary to implement a program to prevent the consequences of this disease in vulnerable populations of Honduras.

• African descent
• Hb S
• Honduras
• sickle cell disease

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the following collaborators: Dr. N. Gonzales, Cuban International Brigade, La Habana, Cuba; Dr. A. Pinne, Department of Anthropology, American University, Washington, DC, USA; Dr. Dr. E. Varcarcel, Dr. Ch. Dolmo, Dr. M. Thomas, Dr. B. Centeno, Dr. M. Lino and Dr. M. Pereira, Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), La Habana, Cuba; M. Castillo, Secretariat of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran People, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; L. Castillo, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, USA; Dr. F. Barahona, Science & Technology Department, Ministry of Health of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; O. Reyes, Y. Rodezno, M. Carrasco, T. Viera, E. Gómez, M. Aguilera, D. Torres, F. Lagos, T. Bustillo, M. Arias, H. Palma, A. Maradiaga, J. Amador, F. Lobo and F. Rodriguez, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNAH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Dr. J. Pinto, Saint Francis Hospital, Juticalpa, Honduras. In particular, we want to thank Dr. Ana Sánchez at Brock University, Saint Catherines, ON, Canada, and all the reviewers of this Journal, for their valuable contribution to the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

This study was possible thanks to the financial support of Research Directorate of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, (DICU-UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.