Non-deletion haemoglobin H disease in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Analysis of DNA from members of a Melanesian family from Papua New Guinea with haemoglobin (Hb) H disease revealed that all four α globin genes are intact in affected subjects. Study of restriction enzyme site and length polymorphisms and the use of oligonucleotide probes indicated that the molecular basis of this Papuan form of non-deletion Hb H disease differs from the previously described Middle Eastern and Mediterranean types.