The gene frequencies in 1993-94 for haemoglobin S, haemoglobin C, alpha-3.7 deletional thalassaemia, G6PDA-, HLAB*5301 were estimated in Fulani, Mossi and Rimaibé ethnic groups of Burkina Faso, West Africa. The aim of the study was to verify whether the previously reported Fulani lower susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria was associated with any of these malaria-resistance genes. Similar frequencies for haemoglobin S were recorded in the 3 ethnic groups (0.024 +/- 0.008, 0.030 +/- 0.011, 0.022 +/- 0.013; in Mossi, Rimaibé and Fulani, respectively). The Mossi and Rimaibé showed higher frequencies when compared to Fulani for haemoglobin C (0.117 +/- 0.018, 0.127 +/- 0.020, 0.059 +/- 0.020), alpha-3.7 deletional thalassaemia (0.227 +/- 0.040, 0.134 +/- 0.032, 0.103 +/- 0.028), G6PDA- (0.196 +/- 0.025, 0.187 +/- 0.044, 0.069 +/- 0.025) and HLA B*5301 (0.189 +/- 0.038, 0.202 +/- 0.041, 0.061 +/- 0.024). Among Fulani the proportion of individuals not having any of these protective alleles was more than 3-fold greater than in the Mossi-Rimaibé group (56.8% vs 16.7%; P < 0.001). These findings exclude the involvement of these genetic factors of resistance to P. falciparum in the lower susceptibility to malaria of Fulani. This evidence, in association with the previously reported higher immune reactivity to malaria of Fulani, further supports the existence in this ethnic group of unknown genetic factor(s) of resistance to malaria probably involved in the regulation of humoral immune responses.

Adolescent↗

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mtDNA provides the first known marker distinguishing proto-Indians from the other Caucasoids; it probably predates the diversification between Indians and Orientals.

The concomitant presence of the two sites Ddel at 10,394 and Alul at 10,397 has been considered an East-Asian marker of ancient origin (it was also observed in Australians, Melanesians and Native Americans). Unexpectedly, it was found in more than 50% of Indians (133 Hindus and 30 Tribals) who had shown Caucasoid characteristics not only at nuclear DNA but also at mtDNA level. It can therefore no longer be considered an exclusively East-Asian mtDNA feature. The analysis of more than 200 Caucasoids, mainly from the Mediterranean basin, showed that it is only sporadically present in these people. Thus it represents the first known marker which distinguishes Indians from the other Caucasoids. The lack of this marker in Indian mtDNA molecules carrying Caucasoid characteristics suggests that it predates the invasion of India by speakers of an Indo-European language and, if it is valid to extrapolate from Near Eastern data, the arrival in India of the farmers who spread the Dravidian language. If this polymorphism had a common origin in both Orientals and Indians, it should also predate the diversification between ancient Indians and Mongoloids.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Red cell acid phosphatase activity in carriers of beta-thalassemia trait and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

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Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A survey on population genetics of India.

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Blood Group Antigens↗

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Detection of alpha-globin gene disorders by a simple PCR methodology.

BACKGROUND: alpha thalassemias are very common in all thalassemic areas; however, complete knowledge of the phenotypic, genotypic and epidemiological features of these thalassemias has not yet been achieved for a number of reasons: the frequent absence of a thalassemic hematologic picture, the lack of a specific characteristic comparable to the Hb A2 increase for beta thalassemias, and the almost complete homology between the two alpha genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A new set of PCR techniques, each based on primer(s) specific for a particular type of alpha globin gene disorder, has been devised in our laboratory. The procedures are simple, and non-radioactive. They lead to the identification of all alpha globin disorders common in the Mediterranean area [-alpha 3.7, -alpha 4.2, alpha Hphl, alpha Ncol, --MED, -(alpha)20.5, alpha alpha alpha anti3.7]. The electrophoretic patterns specific for the main alpha globin alterations as observed with this set of techniques, are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to their advantageous properties, these techniques are suitable for precise molecular characterization of the numerous subjects selected through mass population screenings.

DNA Primers↗