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Abstract
Five hundred and thirteen unrelated subjects belonging to various tribes of West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Eastern India, were screened for the presence of α-thalassemia (thal) gene deletion(s) as a possible cause of unexplained anemia (Hb <11 g/dL and/or MCH <28 pg, MCV < 78 fL). As reported earlier, β-globin gene mutant alleles were found with a frequency of up to 20% in some tribes. In the present study, α-globin gene deletion alleles were found in 18% of subjects from West Bengal, 3.9% from Arunachal Pradesh and 3.84% from Assam tribesmen. Coexistence of α- and β-globin gene abnormalities was observed in up to 18% of some tribal groups. The high inbreeding rate and lack of appropriate medical care make these populations particularly vulnerable.