Epidemiology of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias in individuals referred to the haematology research centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran from 2006 to 2011.

Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias are the most frequent genetic hereditary disorders with an increasing global health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to determine the epidemiologic pattern of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias in individuals referred to the Haematology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, which is the most important referral center in Southern Iran during 2006 to 2011. The most frequent abnormality was ß-thalassemia (ß-thal) minor (24.0%), followed by α-thalassemia (α-thal) trait (10.0%), hemoglobin (Hb) S trait (4.0%) and Hb D-Punjab trait (4.0%). Because this center is a referral center, we detected a higher prevalence compared to the normal population; however, these data could help policymakers and health service providers to better programming for prevention of births affected with Hb disorders.

Results of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Shiraz: 15 years experience in southern Iran.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past 2 decades, hematopoietic stem cell transplant has evolved from an experimental procedure to the standard of care, and it is integrated into the management of many diseases. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant was established at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 1993. Here, we describe 15 years experience with stem cell transplant at our center in southern Iran. We provide information on indication, donor type, conditioning chemotherapy regimen, outcome, survival, and long-term follow-up in our stem cell activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1993 to October 2008, 423 patients underwent allogeneic (n=311) and autologous (n=112) stem cell transplants at our center. For allogeneic stem cell transplant, the conditioning chemotherapy regimen comprised busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin for thalassemic patients; busulfan and cyclophosphamide for leukemia patients; and cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin for patients with aplastic anemia. RESULTS: During this period, 155 B-thalassemia major patients (mean age, 9.5 years; range, 2-20 years) underwent allogeneic marrow transplant. Of 155 patients with a diagnosis of thalassemia major, 112 are alive (72%) with full engraftment after a median follow-up of about 8.1 years (range, 12-184 months). During this time, 127 leukemia patients including acute myelogenous leukemia (n=68), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=30) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (n=29), received allogeneic stem cell transplant. In this group, long-term, disease-free survival (cure rate) was 67%, 60%, and 62%. CONCLUSIONS: These data reflect the important role of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in improving survival for a variety of hematopoietic system disorders at our center in Southern Iran. In patients with B-thalassemia major hematopoietic stem cell transplant seems to be the treatment of choice, because it leads to a cure in all classes (Lucarelli risk group, I-III). Based on high success rates in patients with class II and III thalassemia with the addition of the antithymocyte globulin to conditioning regimen of stem cell transplant, we also recommend using this new method of conditioning in transplant of thalassemia patients.

Molecular analysis of Iranian families with sickle cell disease.

Sickle hemoglobin is a mutant hemoglobin in which valine has been substituted for the glutamic acid normally at the sixth amino acid of the beta-globin chain. Detection of the single base pair mutation at codon 6 of the beta-globin gene is important for the prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia and sickle cell disease. Application of the polymerase chain reaction technology to detect sickle cell patients and heterozygous carriers in a group of patients suspected for sickle cell disease was carried out. The sample was composed of 52 normal individuals and 52 unrelated outpatients who were attending the Hematology Research Center. All patients were interviewed. Results of their medical histories, physical examination, and the hematological analysis were recorded. The blood samples were collected in EDTA and genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes. An amplified 110 base pair fragment of the beta-globin gene containing codon 6, was digested with the restriction enzyme MS II, and electerophoresed in 3 per cent agarose. We have established the technical condition for detection of sickle cell disease using a PCR assay. Fifteen patients having haemoglobin (Hb SS) and 37 patients in the heterozygous state (Hb AS) were identified. We confirm that the normal controls have the Hb AA genotype. The standardization of a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test for sickle cell disease permitted us to identify the normal controls, the homozygotes and heterozygotes. This amplification method is rapid, sensitive and simple, and also has application research that is important for the prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disease.