alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotype and gene distribution in Southern Italy

Sera from 150 individuals from Southern Italy were screened for alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) types. The frequencies of the Pi alleles were compared with those found in Northern Italy and Central/Southern Italy. The PiS frequency in our sample (0.02667) was lower than that found in Central/Southern Italy (0.0670) but matched with the result obtained in Northern Italy (0.0297). The gene frequencies for subtypes of M in Northern and Southern Italy are presented.