The thalassemias in Burma

ABSTRACT

A random sample of 232 adult Burmese males from among 1,886 workers was investigated for the presence of thalassemia. The methods used were peripheral blood film examination for erythrocyte morphology, red cell absolute indices using routine methods as well as the Coulter Counter, paper and starch gel electrophoresis for quantitation of Hb.A2 and Serum iron determinations. From the sample of 232 subjects 10 (4.3 per cent) were found to have the thalassemia trait of whom 2 have the beta-thalassemia trait and 8 have the alpha-thalassemia trait. The diagnostic criteria are discussed. the incidence is compared with that in other countries and the implications are discussed. Data on 25 subjects with Thalassemia Hb. E disease and 8 subjects with Hb. H disease on whom hematological and genetic studies have been completed are presented. The results of hematological, biochemical and genetic studies of an informative family having both Hb. H and Hb. E are presented. The implications as to the interaction between the thal. gene and the Hb. E gene are discussed.