A new stable alpha chain variant: Hb Basel [alpha14(A12)Trp-->Leu (alpha1)].

We describe a heterozygosity for a new missense mutation on the alpha1-globin gene of an 18-year-old woman of Portuguese ancestry with severe hypochromic anemia and iron deficiency. Hemoglobin (Hb) analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) found a prominent peak constituting about 12% of total Hb. Sequencing of the globin genes of the index patient found the mutation alpha14(A12)Trp-->Leu (alpha1), HBA1:c.44G<T. We identified the same mutation in blood and DNA of the mother, which provides evidence that the variant is stable and does not have direct pathophysiological or hematological consequences.