Abnormal haemoglobins, thalassaemia and G-6-PD enzyme deficiency in Rajasthan (western-India)

Venous blood samples of 2922 apparently healthy individuals (both male and female) belonging to four scheduled tribes (408 Bhil, 340 Damor, 190 Garasia, and 186 Mina), five scheduled castes (108 Meghwal, 93 Labana, 86 Mochi, 76 Garg, and 58 Yadaw) and eleven general castes (215 Baniya, 156 Brahmin, 153 Muslim, 130 Patel, 128 Bohra-Muslim, 122 Suthar, 115 Patidar, 112 Rajput, 92 Bhoi, 92 Sompura, and 62 Panchal) of the Dungarpur district of Rajasthan state were investigated by standard techniques for evidence of erythrocyte genetic disorders, abnormal haemoglobins, thalassaemia syndromes, and G-6-PD enzyme deficiency (Gd). Abnormal haemoglobins were encountered in 122 (4.17%) subjects. Of these, 93 (3.18%) were Hb-AS, 14 (0.47%) Hb-SS, 12 (0.41%) Hb-AD, 2 (0.06%) Hb-AE, and 1 (0.03%) Hb-SC. A higher incidence of these mutant genes was found in scheduled tribes (6.85%) as compared to scheduled castes (3.08%) and general castes (2.32%). Beta-thalassaemia syndromes were encountered in 111 (3.79%) subjects; 96 (3.28%) beta-thalassaemia traits, 13 (0.44%) HbS-thalassaemia, and 2 (0.06%) HbD-thalassaemia. Gd was found in 329 (11.25%) subjects. Of these, 203 (18.06%) belonged to scheduled tribes, 39 (9.26%) to scheduled castes, and 87 (6.31%) to general castes. In our present communication, the incidence and interaction of these mutant genes in different ethnic groups of scheduled tribes (S.T.), scheduled castes (S.C.), and general castes (G.C.) are discussed. Furthermore, their distribution in various ethnic groups residing in different districts of Rajasthan state (Western-India) is also reviewed.