Molecular basis of beta-thalassemia in Thai Muslim patients in the the south of Thailand.

ABSTRACT

Among a sample of 29 unrelated Thai Muslim children, a total of 37 beta thalassemia genes was identified and 33 out of 37 mutations (89%) were characterized giving 6 different mutations. Four mutations [IVS-1 nt 5 (G-C), codon 19 (A-G), codons 41/42 (-CTTT) and IVS-1 nt 1 (G-T)] account for 86%. IVS-1 nt 5 (G-C) is the most common mutation found in Thai Muslim patients. Thai Muslim patients share the four most common mutations with Malays.