PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - White, J M
AU  - Christie, B S
AU  - Nam, D
AU  - Daar, S
AU  - Higgs, D R
TI  - Frequency and clinical significance of erythrocyte genetic abnormalities in Omanis.
AID  - 10.1136/jmg.30.5.396
DP  - 1993 May 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Genetics
PG  - 396--400
VI  - 30
IP  - 5
4099  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/30/5/396.short
4100  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/30/5/396.full
SO  - J Med Genet1993 May 01; 30
AB  - The frequencies of four malaria associated erythrocyte genetic abnormalities have been established in 1000 Omani subjects. They are: homozygous alpha+ thalassaemia (-alpha/-alpha) 0.45; high Hb A2 beta thalassaemia trait 0.015; sickle trait (Hb A/S) 0.061; and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (Gd-): males 0.27, females 0.11. From our data the alpha+ (-alpha/) thal gene (confirmed by Southern blotting) is pandemic in this population. Moreover, in spite of the very high frequency of Gd-, oxidative haemolytic syndromes are very uncommon. Also preliminary data indicate that among the Omani population with sickle cell disease, homozygosity of the alpha+ gene markedly modifies the clinical picture.