Haemoglobinopathies C and S in the Dogons

Area of Science:

• Population genetics
• Medical anthropology
• Hematology

Background:

• Hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and hemoglobin C disease, are significant public health concerns globally.
• The Dogon people of Mali represent a unique population for studying genetic variations due to their distinct cultural and geographical divisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distribution and prevalence of hemoglobin C and S alleles within caste and non-caste Dogon populations.
• To explore the implications of observed hemoglobin distributions on Dogon population origins and migration patterns.

Main Methods:

• Field study involving blood sample collection and hemoglobin analysis in Dogon villages across plateau and scree regions.
• Statistical analysis of hemoglobin C (Hb C) and hemoglobin S (Hb S) allele frequencies and genotype distributions.

Main Results:

• A prevalence of 15.77% for hemoglobinopathy AC was observed across Dogon populations.
• Hemoglobin C was present in both plateau and scree villages, and among caste and non-caste groups, with the homozygous CC form absent in non-Dogons.
• Hemoglobinopathy AS prevalence was low (3.05%), with allele S primarily found in areas with non-Dogon admixture, suggesting recent introduction.

Conclusions:

• The genetic data suggest that the sickle cell allele (S) is a recent introduction to the Dogon population.
• The distribution patterns of hemoglobin C and S may indicate that the Dogon people originated from the Voltaic plateau rather than the Manding plateau.
• Further research involving marriage patterns and haplotype analysis is recommended to resolve the origin controversy.