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Updated: Dec 26, 2025

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Novel High Oxygen Affinity Hemoglobin Variant in a Patient with Polycythemia: Hb Kennisis [β85(F1)Phe→Leu (TTT>TTG);
Ibrahim Al Nabhani1,2, John C Aneke1, Madeleine Verhovsek3,4,5
1Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract:
We report the case of a 61-year-old Canadian male of Maltese descent investigated for unexplained polycythemia. Decreased p50 suggested the presence of a high oxygen affinity hemoglobin (Hb) variant. Molecular genetic testing demonstrated that he carries a novel missense mutation (HBB: c.258T>G), resulting in a Phe→Leu substitution at position 85 of the β chain. The novel Hb variant has been designated Hb Kennisis in recognition of where the proband resides. Two other missense mutations have been reported at this position [Hb Bryn Mawr or Hb Buenos Aires, β85(F1)Phe→Ser (HBB: c.257T>C); Hb Grantham, β85(F1)Phe→Cys; (HBB: c.257T>G)], both of which have increased oxygen affinity.
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