Thrombophilic mutations in blood donors in Duhok-Iraq

ABSTRACT

Thrombophilia is a mulitfactorial disease due to the interplay between acquired and inherited factors. Factor V Leiden [G1691A], Prothrombin [G20210A] and MTHFR [C677T] are among the important inherited causes. The prevalence of these three thrombophilic mutations has not been addressed collectively in Iraqis, including the population of Duhok. Determine the prevalence of thrombophilic mutations among healthy blood donors form Duhok. One hundred and fifty random healthy blood donors from the regional blood bank in Duhok-Iraq were investigated using multiplex PCR and reverse hybridization to oligonucleotide specific probes to detect Factor V leiden and MTHFR C677T mutations. While the first hundred donors were also screened using the same technology for Prothrombin G20210A mutation. Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A carrier states were found in 1.25% and 3% of the individuals screened for them, respectively. The MTHFR C677T homozygous and heterozygous states were confirmed in 8 and 44% respectively. This study demonstrated that while the prevalence of Prothrombin and MTHFR mutations were rather consistent with pattern seen in surrounding countries in the Mediterranean region, Factor V Leiden prevalence was the least ever reported from any other population in the region. The latter finding suggests that the contribution of Factor V leiden to thrombotic states in Northern Iraq may not be as significant as it is in other countries in the region