Publication Cover
Hemoglobin
international journal for hemoglobin research
Volume 44, 2020 - Issue 1
121
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

α-Globin Genotypes Associated with Hb H Disease: A Report from Oman and a Review of the Literature from the Eastern Mediterranean Region

ORCID Icon, , , , ORCID Icon, & show all
Pages 20-26 | Received 27 Nov 2019, Accepted 29 Dec 2019, Published online: 05 Feb 2020
 

Abstract

α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is the most common autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy. There is a vast diversity and geographical variability in underlying genotypes in Hb H (β4) patients. Herein, we describe the genotypes found in the largest report of Omani Hb H patients. Moreover, we reviewed and summarized the literature published from the Eastern Mediterranean region. A retrospective review of all genetically confirmed Hb H disease patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, was performed. Hematological parameters and clinical presentations were assessed. Both α-globin genes were screened for deletional and nondeletional mutations using a stepwise diagnostic strategy as described before. A total of 52 patients (27 females and 25 males) with a mean age of 20.6 years (range 0.23–80.0) were molecularly confirmed to carry Hb H disease. The patients had a hemoglobin (Hb) level of 9.3 g/dL (range 5.7–13.0) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 58.4 fL (range 48.2–82.1). A total of eight genotype combinations were identified, with α2 polyadenylation signal mutation (polyA1) (AATAAA>AATAAGPA1α/αPA1α), often cited as αT-Saudiα/αT-Saudiα, being the most common (53.8%) followed by –α3.7/– –MED I (28.8%). Our cohort also included patients with combinations of αPA1 with other Hb variants: αPA1α/αPA1α with Hb S (HBB: c.20A>T) trait (n = 2), –α3.7PA1α (n = 2) and αcodon 19α (HBA2: c.56delG)/αPA1α (n = 1). Nondeletional Hb H disease due to the αPA1 mutation is the most common in Omanis. Molecular diagnosis is necessary for accurate confirmation of the diagnosis of α-thal, determination of underlying genotypes, follow-up and counseling.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all laboratory staff involved in the testing at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman hematology laboratory.

Author contributions

A.Z. Al-Riyami performed the literature review and drafted the manuscript; both S. Al Zadjali and M. Al Rawahi collected the laboratory data and performed the molecular analysis, S. Al Kindi, A. Al Madhani, Y. Wali and S. Daar were the caregivers of the patients who provided the clinical data for adult and pediatric patients. All authors reviewed and accepted the manuscript before submission.

Disclosure statement

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

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 1,628.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.