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Association of hematological analysis and α-globin genotypes among eligible blood donors in University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
Lai Kuan Teh1, Li Fang Lim2, Yu Leong Teh3, Tze Yan Lee4, Lay Ngor Lim5, Elizabeth George6.
Introduction: Reduction or complete absence of α-globin chain production may result α-thalassemia. Alpha thalassemia carrier may have normal haemoglobin level and thus will be eligible as blood donor. Few complications may happen in which the carrier who donated the blood might be at risk of hypoxia and their blood components might not suitable for transfusion. Thus, it is important to screen for α-thalassemia to prevent any complications happen
after donation. The objective of this study is to investigate the interaction of red blood cell indices and α-globin genotypes among eligible blood donors in a private university, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia. Methods: A total of 270 eligible blood donors were recruited for this study. Red cell indices were analysed using Horiba hematology analyser and α-globin genotyping was performed for seven alpha deletions, six alpha point mutations
and two alpha triplications. Results: Our study showed high prevalence of α-thalassemia carriers among the eligible blood donors (7.7%, 21/270), with all of them showed normal Hb level (>12 gm/dl). Five genotypes were detected consisting of 249 αα/αα (92.2%), 9 -α3.7/αα (3.3%), 9 --SEA/αα (3.3%), 2 -α4.2/αα (0.7%) and 1 ααCS/αα (0.4%). All α-globin genotypes showed normal Hb level with no significant difference between genotypes (p=0.167). Different
α-globin genotypes showed significant difference in RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW and Hct/Hb ratio at the p<.05 level due to different extent of α-globin chain reduction. Conclusion: Our study concluded that by using Hb level alone in screening for the eligibility of blood donors is not sufficient but using full blood count (FBC) screening with borderline MCV and MCH levels might be able to rule out α-thalassemia carriers. FBC and molecular characterisation should be incorporated together to properly rule out α-thalassemia carriers.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
- Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Malaysia
- Perdana University, Malaysia
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
- Assunta Hospital, Malaysia
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Indexation |
Indexed by |
MyJurnal (2021) |
H-Index
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3 |
Immediacy Index
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0.000 |
Rank |
0 |
Indexed by |
Scopus 2020 |
Impact Factor
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CiteScore (0.2) |
Rank |
Q4 (Medicine (all)) |
Additional Information |
SJR (0.144) |
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