Phenotypic Analysis of the <italic>HBA2</italic>: C.95 G > A Mutation in China.

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze the clinical phenotype of the <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A mutation in the Chinese population and to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 16 patients, including 6 newborns, 2 children, and 8 adults. Hematological parameters and hemoglobin electrophoresis were analyzed, and genotypes were identified using methods such as PCR combined with reverse dot blot (RDB), nested PCR, gap polymerase chain reaction (Gap-PCR), and DNA sequencing. The results showed that 10 patients had mild anemia, 2 had moderate anemia, and 12 exhibited microcytic hypochromic features with MCV values ranging from 53 to 74.7 fl and MCH values from 16.2 to 25.4 pg. Additionally, 3 cases displayed obvious HbH + HbBarts bands (>15%). Among the 16 cases, various combinations of the <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A mutation were observed: one case had –α3.7 combined with <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A, another had –α4.2 combined with <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A, and five had –SEA combined with <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A, while the remaining cases were <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A heterozygotes. The study concludes that the <italic>HBA2</italic>: c.95G>A mutation in the α2 globin gene causes α+ thalassemia. When this mutation is combined with the Southeast Asian deletion (–SEA), it results in HbH disease, characterized by moderate microcytic hypochromic anemia and the presence of HbH + HbBarts bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]