HGM 2011 - Dubai, UAE
Nasir Al-Allawi - Abstract
|
Nasir Al-Allawi
|
Despite the fact that several inherited hematological disorders are known to be prevalent in Iraq, little was known about their molecular basis until quite recently. My presentation is to review the efforts of our research group over the past few years to pursue this endeavor. Prevalence of â thalassemia varies between 3.7-4.6% among Iraqis. Molecular characterization revealed heterogeneity in the distribution of â thalassemia mutations, even within the same ethnic group. However, IVS-II-1 (G>A) was the most frequent mutation among Kurds, while IVS-I-110 (G>A) was the commonest among Arabs in Northern Iraq. Alpha thalassemia on the other hand, varied in frequency 1-20% in different parts of the country. Studies from Northern Iraq revealed that the most common genotype was (-á3.7/áá), followed by the (--MED/áá). Sickle cell carrier state varied in frequency from 0-6.5%. Haplotype analysis in Northern Iraq revealed that it is associated with the Benin Haplotype in around three quarters of cases. G6PD deficiency has been reported in 6-15.3% of Iraqi males. The Mediterranean and Chatham deficient variants constituted the bulk of the deficient variants both in Arabs and Kurds. Thrombophilic mutations were also investigated. Factor V leiden (G1691A), Prothrombin mutation (G20210A) and homozygosity to MTHFR (C677T) were found in 1-3%, 3% and 8% of healthy individuals respectively. Some of the clinical associations of these mutations were also studied. The presentation will also include an overview of recently introduced regional hemoglobinopathies prevention program of in Northern Iraq, which included premarital screening of 115,188 individuals over more than 3 years. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
|
|
Human Genome Organisation |
|
Centre for Arab Genomic Studies |
