title: The use of a reverse hybridization strip assay for the study of hemochromatosis-associated gene mutations in Lebanon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) is the most commonly identified autosomal recessive genetic disorder in the Caucasian population and HFE gene mutations are highly concentrated among European populations. This is the first study that screens for HHC-related gene mutations in a healthy Lebanese sample population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the reverse hybridization Hemochromatosis StripAssay A from ViennaLab, the DNA extracted from a total of 116 healthy volunteers (59 males and 57 females) was analyzed, looking for 18 different mutations in the HFE, ferroportin, and transferrin genes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the HFE gene, the C282Y mutation was not detected, but the H63D mutation was found with an overall carrier frequency of 25.8% (24.1% heterozygous and 1.7% homozygous). None of the mutations in the transferrin and ferroportin genes was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Hemochromatosis StripAssay A from ViennaLab provides an easy and reliable technique for simultaneous screening of the different HFE gene mutations. This first study in Lebanon represents a baseline report for further future studies in the field using this easy technique with a reasonable turnaround time for diagnosis. We also note that ferroportin and transferrin gene mutations have not been detected in this population sample and larger clinical studies will be needed to better estimate their prevalence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rose T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Daher
authors.forename: Rabab N Abdul
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Khalik
authors.forename: Rouba M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hoteit
authors.forename: Doja S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sarieddine
authors.forename: Khalil M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Charafeddine
authors.forename: Najwa K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Cortas
authors.forename: Rami A R
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
mesh_terms: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000235:genetics*; D000098742:Ferroportin
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; C503640:TFR2 protein, human; D000098742:Ferroportin