Detection of Common Deletional Alpha-Thalassemia Spectrum by Molecular Technique in Kelantan, Northeastern Malaysia

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that results from genetic defects causing deficient synthesis of hemoglobin polypeptide chains. Although thalassemia mostly affects developing countries, there is limited knowledge of its accurate frequency and distribution in these regions. Knowing the prevalence of thalassemia and the frequency of responsible mutations is therefore an important step in the prevention and control program as well as treatment strategies. This study was performed to determine the prevalence and to study the spectrum of gene deletions that are responsible in α-thalassemia in Kelantan, located in northeastern Malaysia. A total 400 first-time blood donors from multiple areas of donation centre were chosen randomly. The presence of three types of α-thalassemia gene deletion in southeast Asian population which were -SEAdeletion, -α3.7 rightward deletion, and -α4.2 leftward deletion was detected by using multiplex PCR method. 37 (9.25%) of blood donors were confirmed to have α-thalassemia deletion types. 34 (8%) were heterozygous for α3.7 deletion, 1 (0.25%) was heterozygous for α4.2 deletion, and 2 (0.5%) were heterozygous for SEA type deletion. Alpha-thalassemia-2 with 3.7 deletion was the most common determinant detected in Kelantan Malay compared to other ethnic groups. It has been noted that alpha-thalassemia-2 with 3.7 deletion is the most common type of α-thalassemia throughout the world.