Screening for Structural Hemoglobin Variants in Bahia, Brazil (original) (raw)

Incidence of hemoglobinopathies and spatialization of newborns with sickle cell trait in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

einstein (São Paulo), 2022

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of variant hemoglobins of newborn samples from the Neonatal Screening Center in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and to analyze the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of newborns with sickle cell trait. Methods: Samples from 35,858 newborns screened by the Neonatal Screening Center. The samples with inconclusive diagnosis were submitted to electrophoretic, chromatographic, cytological and molecular analyses. The spatial distribution analysis of newborns with sickle cell trait was performed by spatial autocorrelation. Results: A total of 919 newborns showed an abnormal hemoglobin profile; in that, ten genotypes had significant clinical impacts identified. Among the asymptomatic newborns, the sickle cell trait was the most frequent (incidence of 1.885 cases/100 newborns). The highest incidence rates were registered in the municipalities of Terenos, Figueirão, Corguinho and Selvíria. There was positive spatial autocorrelation between the proportion of declared individuals of black race/ color and the incidence of newborns with sickle cell trait. Conclusion: The early diagnosis by neonatal screening and laboratory tests was very important to identify abnormal hemoglobin profiles and guide the spatial autocorrelation analysis of sickle cell trait newborns in Mato Grosso do Sul, serving as a support to anticipate health measures aimed to discuss efficient therapeutic behaviors and effective planning of municipalities with the greatest need for care, monitoring and orientations for affected families.

Sickle Cell Anemia in the Boqueirão Kilombo Community, Bahia, Brazil

Scientia Plena, 2016

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common monogenic hereditary disease in Brazil. The North and Northeastern regions of Brazil concentrate a large number of outstanding African ancestry communities, denominated kilombo. The aim of this study was to make a survey of SCA cases in the Boqueirão Kilombo community, situated in Bahia semi-arid region. 467 individuals were interviewed. Individuals (n=100) who replied positively for the occurrence of jaundice, and family history of sickle cell anemia were pre-selected to undergo the diagnostic exam for sickle cell anemia and included in the Group 1. The others individuals (n=367) were included in the Group 2. Blood samples evaluation of Group 1 showed the following hemoglobin genotypes: HbAA in 65 individuals, HbSS in 3 individuals and HbAS in 29 individuals, HbAF in 1 individual and HbAC in 2 individuals. One of the individuals with SCA and all the heterozygotes for the mutated allele S did not know that they had the mutation. The survey data demonstrate the need for health assistance directed towards these special communities.

[Family screening for HBB*S gene and detection of new cases of sickle cell trait in Northeastern Brazil]

Revista de saúde pública, 2008

To estimate the additional number of affected individuals based on the prevalence of sickle-cell syndromes among relatives of index cases. Cross-sectional study of relatives of a random sample of index cases identified through a neonatal screening program in Northeastern Brazil, between 2001 and 2005. The extended family trial model included 463 relatives of 21 index cases. Relatives were classified as nuclear family (NF: father, mother, and siblings); first degree extended family (N1: grandparents, uncles and aunts, and first cousins); second degree extended family (N2: children of first cousins); extended family (NA: NF+N1+N2); and extended nuclear family (NA1: NF+N1). The presence of HBB*S and other abnormal hemoglobins was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The association between the presence of HBB*S and other variables was calculated using prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals, and differences between means were calculated using Stu...

��S-Haplotypes in sickle cell anemia patients from Salvador, Bahia, Northeastern Brazil

2003

ß S-Globin haplotypes were studied in 80 (160 ß S chromosomes) sickle cell disease patients from Salvador, Brazil, a city with a large population of African origin resulting from the slave trade from Western Africa, mainly from the Bay of Benin. Hematological and hemoglobin analyses were carried out by standard methods. The ß S-haplotypes were determined by PCR and dot-blot techniques. A total of 77 (48.1%) chromosomes were characterized as Central African Republic (CAR) haplotype, 73 (45.6%) as Benin (BEN), 1 (0.63%) as Senegal (SEN), and 9 (5.63%) as atypical (Atp). Genotype was CAR/ CAR in 17 (21.3%) patients, BEN/BEN in 17 (21.3%), CAR/BEN in 37 (46.3%), BEN/SEN in 1 (1.25%), BEN/Atp in 1 (1.25%), CAR/Atp in 6 (7.5%), and Atp/Atp in 1 (1.25%). Hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values did not differ among genotype groups but were significantly higher in 25 patients presenting percent fetal hemoglobin (%HbF) ≥10% (P = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). The median HbF concentration was 7.54 ± 4.342% for the CAR/CAR genotype, 9.88 ± 3.558% for the BEN/BEN genotype, 8.146 ± 4.631% for the CAR/ BEN genotype, and 4.180 ± 2.250% for the CAR/Atp genotype (P = 0.02), although 1 CAR/CAR individual presented an HbF concentration as high as 15%. In view of the ethnic and geographical origin of this population, we did not expect a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for CAR/CAR and BEN/BEN homozygous haplotypes and a high proportion of heterozygous CAR/BEN haplotypes since the State of Bahia historically received more slaves from Western Africa than from Central Africa.

Haemoglobin F, A2, and S levels in subjects with or without sickle cell trait in south-eastern Gabon

Hematology, 2017

Background: Infant mortality due to sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa is high, necessitating a better understanding of the modulating factors of the disease in this region. Methods: We assessed the hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin and α-thalassemia. We diagnosed 787 subjects, with or without sickle cell trait, by capillary electrophoresis in the Medical Diagnostic Laboratory of the CIRMF (Franceville, Gabon). Results: Heterocellular and pancellular forms of hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin occurred at low rates of 10.9 and 2.3%, respectively. The distribution of HbS levels in individuals with sickle cell trait was trimodal, showing a high percentage (52.4%) of heterozygous subjects with α-thalassemia. The distribution of HbA2 levels was bimodal in individuals without sickle cell trait, estimated to be comprised of 12 and 15% of α and β-thalassemic heterozygous subjects, respectively. Conclusions: In sub-Saharan Africa, α-thalassemia is a far more prevalent modulating factor than hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin. Our study highlights the need for further investigation of thalassemia, haemoglobinopathies that are neglected in sub-Saharan Africa.

Detection of Sickle Cell Hemoglobin in Haiti by Genotyping and Hemoglobin Solubility Tests

Sickle cell disease is a growing global health concern because infants born with the disorder in developing countries are now surviving longer with little access to diagnostic and management options. In Haiti, the current state of sickle cell disease/trait in the population is unclear. To inform future screening efforts in Haiti, we assayed sickle hemoglobin mutations using traditional hemoglobin solubility tests (HST) and add-on techniques, which incorporated spectrophotometry and insoluble hemoglobin separation. We also generated genotype data as a metric for HST perfor- mance. We found 19 of 202 individuals screened with HST were positive for sickle hemoglobin, five of whom did not carry the HbS allele. We show that spectrophotometry and insoluble hemoglobin separation add-on techniques could resolve false positives associated with the traditional HST approach, with some limitations. We also discuss the incorpo- ration of insoluble hemoglobin separation observation with HST in suboptimal screening settings like Haiti.

Sickle cell anemia in the state of Maranhão: a haplotype study

Annals of Hematology, 2020

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most severe form of sickle cell disease caused by homozygosity of the β S-gene (S/S or β S β S) and has worldwide distribution. Six polymorphic sites in the β-globin gene cluster were analyzed from a sample of 56 chromosomes of patients with SCA from the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. PCR-RFLP showed that the CAR haplotype was predominant with a frequency of 64.28%, followed by the BEN haplotype (28.57%). Atypical haplotypes were identified at a frequency of 7.15%. Genotypes CAR/CAR, BEN/BEN, and CAR/BEN were present in 46.43%, 10.71%, and 35.71% of patients, respectively. β-Globin haplotype determination is important not only for the monitoring and prognosis of patients with SCA, but it also serves to inform anthropological studies that contribute to elucidating any peculiarities associated with African influences that contributed to the ethnological, economic, cultural, and social formation of Brazil. The high frequency of the CAR/CAR and CAR/BEN haplotypes in this study, which are associated with low levels of fetal hemoglobin, may ultimately reflect a severe clinical course and poor prognosis in patients with SCA in Maranhão. Keywords Sickle cell anemia. HbSS haplotypes. Northeastern. Brazil. Hb SS haplotypes from Maranhão

Neonatal Screening for Hemoglobinopathies: Results of a Public Health System in South Brazil

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, 2010

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in South Brazil. Methods: Samples of dried blood spots collected by heel prick in neonates were evaluated by isoeletric focusing and/or high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. All variants were characterized at the molecular level. Results: A total of 437,787 samples were evaluated. Among these, 6391 showed an abnormal hemoglobin pattern. These included 48 cases (0.01%) of sickle cell disorders (33 hemoglobin SS [Hb SS], 7 Hb SC, 7 Hb S/b thalassemia, 1 Hb SD), 1 neonate who was homozygous for b thalassemia, 6272 (1.4%) newborns who were heterozygous for Hb S, C, or D, and 71 (0.02%) neonates who were carriers for rare hemoglobin variants. Most of these rare variants were identified for the first time in Brazil. Conclusions: Comparing these results with those obtained in other Brazilian regions, we observe a highly heterogeneous distribution. This knowledge is useful in healthcare planning and allocation of resources, as well as identifying at-risk couples, which will assist with disease prevention.

<i>ß</i>-Globin Gene Cluster Haplotypes and Clinical Severity in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Southern Brazil

Open Journal of Blood Diseases, 2014

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has emerged as a curative strategy for sickle cell anemia (SCA); it is necessary to find markers of SCA clinical severity to spare those SCA patients whose clinical course is mild from the morbidity and mortality associated with HSCT. Haplotypes have been correlated with the severity of clinical manifestations in SCA patients, and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and socioeconomic status (SeS) have also been described as negative factors. We studied these factors and their impact on clinical manifestations in a population of Southern Brazilian patients attending the Center for Sickle Cell Anemia at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil. Clinical severity was defined as two or more veno-occlusive episodes per year. The β S haplotypes were determined by PCR in 75 SCA patients. Among the 150 β S chromosomes analyzed, 99 (66%) were identified as Bantu (Ban), 41 (27%) as Benin (Ben), and 10 (7%) as other haplotypes. Most patients in our sample (62.7%) belonged to lower SeS groups, precluding meaningful statistical analysis of SeS impact on clinical severity. There was no correlation between haplotypes or HbF level and SCA clinical severity. Gene polymorphisms and environmental issues have to be taken into consideration.

The β‐Globin Gene Cluster Haplotypes in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients from Northeast Brazil: A Clinical and Molecular View

Hemoglobin, 2004

The b S-globin haplotypes were studied in 78 sickle cell Brazilian patients from Bahia, Northeast Brazil, that has a large population of African origin. Hemoglobin (Hb) profiles were developed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and b S-globin gene haplotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. We identified 44 (55.0%) patients with the CAR/Ben (Central African Republic/Benin) genotype, 16 (20.0%) Ben/Ben, 13 (16.2%) CAR/CAR and seven (8.8%) with other genotypes. Analyses