Investigation of beta globin gene mutations in Syrian refugee patients with thalassemia major

Abstract

Objectives: This study, detection of beta globin gene mutations in thalassemia major patients who migrated from Syria to Kahramanmaras region were planned.

Materials and methods: The study included 35 Syrian national beta thalassemia major patients. Beta globin gene mutations were detected by ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System) method, RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) method and DNA sequence analysis. Codon 15, codon 9/10, codon 5 and codon 8 mutations, which we could not detect with other methods in our study, were detected by sequence analysis.

Results: In beta thalassemia major patients, 16 types of mutations were detected, the most common being IVS-I-110 (n = 8). Other mutations are according to frequency order IVS-II-745 (n = 3), codon 44 (n = 3), codon 15 (n = 3), IVS-I-110/IVS-I-1 (n = 3), codon 5 (n = 2), IVS-I-1 (n = 2), codon 8/IVS-II-1 (n = 2), codon 44/codon 15 (n = 2), IVS-II-1 (n = 1), codon 39 (n = 1), IVS-I-6/codon 5 (n = 1), codon 9/10 (n = 1), IVS-I-110/codon 39 (n = 1), IVS-I-5/IVS-II-1 (n = 1), codon 39/IVS-II-745 (n = 1).

Conclusions: According to the results of our study betathalassemia mutations in Syrian immigrant groups show heterogeneity and mutation types of mutation map is similar to Turkey. The conclusion is to prevent families to have a second patient child by genetic counseling.