[HbC/beta-thalassemia association. Eleven cases observed in Tunisia]

Eleven cases of simultaneous HbC hemoglobinopathy and beta-thalassemia were detected during a study of 11,200 subjects at high risk for inherited hemoglobin anomalies. In seven cases, main clinical manifestations were anemia and enlargement of the spleen, whereas the four other patients were apparently free of symptoms and were diagnosed during routine tests in family members of affected patients. Microcytosis and hypochromia were found in every case. Most of the patients were from the North-Western part of Tunisia. Blood transfusions were required in only one patient, who was an infant with HbC/beta + thalassemia.