Hematological characteristics of sardinian alpha-thalassemia carriers detected in a population study.
88 adults with thalassemia-like red cell indices, normal serum iron and normal hemoglobin (Hb) A2 and F levels, diagnosed in a mass screening had Hb H inclusion bodies studies (65 subjects) or Hb H inclusion bodies studies and globin chain synthesis analysis (23 subjects). The alpha/beta ratio of 0.70 +/- 0.10 was the same as in obligate alpha-thalassemia-1 (alpha-thal) carriers. Hb H inclusion bodies studies were found to be a reliable test for alpha-thal trait identification, resulting positive in approximately 70% of suspected carriers. The alpha-thal carrier defined by Hb H preparation or by globin chain synthesis had significant reduction in the mean Hb level, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and a significant increase in mean red cell count, but there was some overlap with controls.
D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004908:Erythrocyte Inclusions; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal; D005914:Globins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006447:Hemoglobin H; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; D005914:Globins; D006447:Hemoglobin H