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Hemoglobin
international journal for hemoglobin research
Volume 42, 2018 - Issue 4
108
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Original Article

A Unique Interaction of IVS-I-1 (G>A) (HBA2: c.95+1G>A) with Hb Adana (HBA2: c.179G>A) Presenting as Transfusion-Dependent α-Thalassemia

, , , , , , , , , , , & show all
Pages 247-251 | Received 25 Apr 2018, Accepted 10 Sep 2018, Published online: 09 Jan 2019
 

Abstract

Nondeletional α-globin mutations are known to cause more serious clinical effects than deletional ones. A rare IVS-I-1 (G>A) (HBA2: c.95+1G>A) donor splice site mutation interferes with normal splicing of pre mRNA and results in activation of a cryptic splice site as well as a frameshift mutation. Hb Adana [HBA2: c.179G>A (or HBA1)] is a highly unstable variant hemoglobin (Hb) resulting from a mutation at codon 59 on the HBA2 or HBA1 gene, recognized to cause severe α-thalassemia (α-thal) syndromes. We report a unique case of compound heterozygosity for these two mutations in a 9-year-old boy who presented with a Hb level of 5.3 g/dL and hepatomegaly at the age of 15 months. He required regular blood transfusions in view of a Hb level of <7.0 g/dL and failure to thrive. He had thalassemic red cell indices and peripheral blood film. The Hb electrophoresis only showed a raised Hb F level (3.3%) and a pre run peak but the Hb H inclusion test was negative. His father had thalassemic red cell indices but a normal Hb level. His mother had almost normal Hb levels and red cell indices. Hb Adana involving the HBA2 gene was detected by mutiplex amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) in the proband and his father. DNA sequencing of the HBA2 gene confirmed the IVS-I-1 mutation in the proband and his mother. This case highlighted the unique interaction of the IVS-I-1 mutation with Hb Adana in a young Malay boy presenting with transfusion-dependent α-thal.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This case study was funded by Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS/1/2014/SKK06/UKM/02/1].

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