Hemoglobin O Arab in Four Negro Families and Its Interaction with Hemoglobin S and Hemoglobin C

Abstract

Hemoglobin O Arab (α₂β₂ ^{121 Glu → Lys)} was found in 25 members of four apparently unrelated Negro families in the West Indian island of Jamaica. In each family the propositus had Hb SO disease. Two cases had been mistakenly diagnosed as Hb SC disease. Two persons heterozygous for both Hb C and Hb O Arab were found in these families, and Hb O Arab β thalassemia in one other relative. The clinical course and symptomatology of Hb SO disease is comparable to that in Hb SD (α₂β₂ ^{121 Glu → GluNH2}) disease and more severe than Hb SC disease.