Some aspects of beta-thalassemia in Wes6-Algeria: 96

Control studies about patients suspected for thalassemia major revealed 8 cases homozygous for beta-thalassemia in 6 families: 3 of them produce no beta A globin at all (beta thalassemia type) and 5 others synthesize various amounts of beta chain (beta+ thalassemia type).Non alpha/alpha ratios were calculated after incubations of reticulocytes in vitro.They were very similar in the two types,changing from 0,13 to 0,34. However levels of HbF and alpha globin chain synthesis greatly differ in the beta+ thalassemia type (HbF percentage and alpha, non alpha ratios changing from 9 % to 67 % and 0,16 to 0,73 respectively.