Abstract |
The occurrence of multiple abnormalities of α, β, δ, and γ globin genes may lead to unusual and complex phenotypes when they arise simultaneously in the same individual. Here, we report the findings of an African American boy who coinherited 3 heterozygous globin gene abnormalities: the unstable β- globin chain variant; hemoglobin ( Hb) Showa-Yakushiji [β110(G12) Leu→Pro], the δ- globin chain variant; HbB2 [δ16(A13) Gly→Arg] and α- thalassemia (α-thal); (α-/αα). Hb Showa-Yakushiji had been previously described in Japanese, Indian, and European populations. We report its first occurrence in a child of African ancestry who presented with anemia not responsive to iron and an incomplete β- thalassemia minor phenotype. Although the clinical and laboratory features of Hb Showa-Yakushiji mimic those of a β- thalassemia, the coinheritance of the δ- globin chain variant Hb B2 suppressed the relative increase in Hb A2 usually observed in heterozygotes for the Hb Showa-Yakushiji mutation. Protein-based methods detected only a trace amount of HbB2 and failed to reveal presence of Hb Showa-Yakushiji and α-thal. The latter were only identified through DNA analyses. The diagnostic difficulties, molecular characteristics, and genotype/phenotype correlations of this novel complex hemoglobinopathy syndrome are reviewed.
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Authors | Hernan Sabio, Natalia Dixon, Niren Patel, Chinwe Obiaga, Lina Zhuang, Steffen E Meiler, Abdullah Kutlar, Ferdane Kutlar |
Journal | Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
(J Pediatr Hematol Oncol)
Vol. 33
Issue 8
Pg. 589-91
(Dec 2011)
ISSN: 1536-3678 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 22042275
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Hemoglobins, Abnormal
- hemoglobin Showa-Yakushiji
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Topics |
- Black or African American
(genetics)
- Anemia
(etiology, genetics)
- Child, Preschool
- Hemoglobins, Abnormal
(genetics)
- Heterozygote
- Humans
- Male
- Phenotype
- alpha-Thalassemia
(blood, complications, genetics)
- beta-Thalassemia
(blood, complications, genetics)
- delta-Thalassemia
(complications, genetics)
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