[Hemoglobin O Arab in interaction with beta 0-thalassemia].

Clinical, hematologic and hemoglobin composition data on the first case of Hb 0-Arab in association with beta 0-thalassemia in Yugoslavia are reported here. The propositus was a 26-years-old female from Strumica who was admitted to the hospital for several times because of anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, occasional abdominal pains, malaise and fatigue. Laboratory results presented: Hb 10.0 g/dl, RBC 3.84.10(12)/L, PCV 0.260 l/l, MCV 68 fl, MCH 26 pg, reticulocyte count 1.8%, anisopoikilocytosis, polychromasis, numerous target cells, total bilirubin 2.1 mg/dl, (indirect 1.7 mg/dl), serum-Fe 32.3 microM/L. A starch gel electrophoresis of hemolysate provided evidence for the presence of abnormal hemoglobin (approximately 85%) and Hb F (approximately 15%); the Hb A was absent. Familial screening showed her father was heterozygous for the abnormal hemoglobin, whereas the mother was heterozygous for beta-thalassemia. In vitro biosynthesis disclosed a total absence of beta globin and reduced synthesis of beta x x and gamma globin. The alpha/beta x + gamma-globin ratio was 1.77 (normal, 1.0 + 0.1). Amino acid analysis revealed that lysine substituted for glutamic acid at the position one hundred twenty-one of the beta chain (= Hb 0-Arab or beta 121 Glu----Lys).