[Prevalence of alloimmunization in major beta thalassemia in northern Iran [2010]]

Repeated blood transfusion is the major treatment for patients with major thalassemia. However due to antigen encounters, it may initiate body reactions, including alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens. This study was done to determine the Prevalence of alloimmunization in major beta thalassemia patients in northern Iran. This descriptive - analytic study was carried out on 218 thalassemic patients [100 males and 118 females] with average age of 22.5 +/- 7 years in northern Iran during 2010. Each sample was tested for the presence of Alloantibodies including C, Cw, Lea, E, Lua, Leb, K, Jkb, N, P1, D, Jka, M, S, Xga, e, Fya, s, c, Fyb, k, Kpa, Jsb, Lub and Coa. Eighty eight cases [40.4%; 95% CI: 33.9-46.9] were positive for the presence of alloantibodies. Alloantibodies against C, Cw, Lea red blood cell surface antigens were the most prevalent [40%]. No significant correlation was found between emergence of alloantibody with the age of initial, frequency and duration of blood transfusion. Alloimmunization is a common observation in thalassemic patients and should be prevented by transfusing compatible blood

[Molecular evaluation of hemoglobin D mutations in Mazandaran province, Iran]

Hemoglobinopathies are among the most prevalent genetic disorders worldwide, and occur as a result of mutations in the gene involved in synthesizing hemoglobin chains. By now more than 1000 defects in hemoglobin chains are discovered. Hemoglobin D [Hb D] is one of these disorders, identified by a single nucleotide mutation on codon 121 of beta globin chain. This study was carried out to evaluate Hb D mutations through molecular methods in Mazandaran province of Iran. This descriptive laboratory study was done on 70 patients with an electrophoresis band in hemoglobin-S zone in Mazandaran province of Iran during 2010-11. Capillary zone electrophoresis was done to find out Hb D in 51 patients. Subsequently, PCR-RFLP was performed to evaluate the samples at molecular level. Molecular investigation revealed all cases are carriers of hemoglobin D-Punjab. Two patients were shown to be homozygote carriers of the abnormal gene. This study showed all Hb D affected patients were carriers of Hb D Punjab