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Background and Objectives Thalassemia is the most common monogenic disease worldwide inherited in autosomal recessive manner. Beta-thalassemia is caused by mutations in beta-globin gene. It is characterized by reduction in red blood cell indices including low MCV, low MCH, high RBC count, low HbA1 and high HbA2. Considering these symptoms, finding a relation between erythrocyte indices and kind of mutations can be used as a rapid method in mutation diagnosis and initial screening of carriers. Materials and Methods In this descriptive-analytical study after DNA extraction from 200 beta- thalassemia minors in Khuzestan province by salting out method, we amplified and sequenced beta-globin gene by Sanger sequencing. Finally, we analyzed statistically the beta-globin gene mutations and erythrocyte indices association by SPSS. Results Our results showed that IVSII-1(G > A) is the most common mutation with 22.5% frequency in this population of beta-thalassemia carriers. We found that MCV index variations have a meaningful association with beta-globin gene mutations and the highest mean of MCV (65.4 ± 3.7) was observed in IVSI-110(G > A) mutation. Conclusions The results comply with many other studies performed in this field and can be used for rapid detection of mutation in carrier parents and prenatal diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis includes a wide range of clinical and pathological conditions. The beta-2 microglobulin (β2M), as part of the HLA complex, is responsible for transmission of viral antigens on the surface of liver cells. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of salivary β2M as a marker of viral proliferation in subjects who are HbsAg+, HBV DNA PCR+ compared with those who are HbsAg+ HBV DNA PCR-. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we enrolled 25 patients who were Hbs Ag+ HBV DNA PCR+ in addition to 21 patients who were Hbs Ag+, HBV DNA PCR-. We obtained sputum samples from all patients and measured salivary β2M levels by nephelometry. Data analyses were performed by the descriptive, student's t- and chi-square tests. Results: There were 25 men (54.3%) and 21 women (45.7%) with a mean age of 35.72 ±11.86 years who participated. Of PCR+ patients, 72% were on medication, however 85.7% of the PCR- patients did not take medication (p<0.001). Salivary β2M concentration in the PCR+ patients (5.284±5.45) was greater than observed in the PCR- patients (1.51: ±0.77), of which this difference was statistically significant (p<0.003). Conclusion: Salivary β2M levels, as a marker of viral replication, could be used in patients with hepatitis B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]