[Genetic traits in the area of Bodrogköz]

In 1984 a late malaria endemic area, called Bodrogköz was studied. This was a reexamination of the population genetic work performed by Walter, Nemeskéri. In six villages of Bodrogköz 328 persons were tested for AB0, Rh blood groups, haptoglobins, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte amount, the MCV, the MCH and the G-6-PD were analyzed. The quantitative determination of HbF and HbA2, red cell osmotic resistance and thalassemia were measured as well. Thalassemia heterozygote carriers and an increased level of HbF were revealed. The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was 0.39%. In Bodrogköz the frequencies of AB0, Rh and haptoglobin types were similar in the present and all previous studies. The background of this similarity might be the genetic similarity between two following generations. On the basis of these facts, the Hb0 Arab and partially DNA work we suggested an alternative hypothesis that these mutant genes got into Bodrogköz by the rather later migration than with ancient Hungarian people during the period of conquest of Hungary.