title: Increased haemoglobin A2 percentage in HIV infection: disease or treatment?
abstract: An elevated haemoglobin A2 percentage has been reported in HIV-infected patients, possibly attributable to therapy. In cross-sectional and cohort studies we have established that A2 is often elevated in untreated patients; a further rise during treatment is attributable specifically to zidovudine. The haemoglobin A2 may be high enough to lead to a misdiagnosis of beta thalassemia trait if there is a lack of awareness of this unexpected effect of HIV infection and its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benzie
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006443:Hemoglobin A2 / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015215:Zidovudine; D006443:Hemoglobin A2