title: Haemoglobin C gene in south eastern Nigeria.
abstract: Haemoglobin C (Hb C) is very rare in eastern Nigeria (east of River Niger). Isolated cases have been reported. The incidence is however as high as 6% in western Nigeria. This study was undertaken to locate the isolated cases with a view to determining their origin. Hb electrophoresis was performed on 4,263 subjects in Akwa Ibom State in south eastern region of Nigeria. The subjects were selected from all the local government areas of the state and were aged 15 years and above. They comprised secondary school children, civil servants, farmers and fishermen. The results revealed complete absence of Hb C from the upland population whereas this was present in the fishing settlement population (6 or 0.4% Hb AC and one or 0.07% Hb SC subjects). The possible entry points of Hb C gene into south eastern Nigeria is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kuwait University, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Sulaibekhat, Kuwait.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Usanga
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Andy
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ekanem
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Udoh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D002648:Child; D005838:Genotype; D006445:Hemoglobin C Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012111:Residence Characteristics