βS gene in Central Iran is in linkage disequilibrium with the Indian–Arab haplotype

Sickle cell anemia is not considered to be a significant disease in Iran, although the sickle cell trait is estimated to have a high incidence in the Southern provinces. Since 1977, when the presence of a mild sickle cell anemia was reported in this country, there have been no further investigations published giving precise data on the incidence and origins of the sickle cell mutation in Iran. We report here the finding of patients with the sickle cell trait, sickle cell anemia, and sickle‐β thalassemia in Central Iran. A survey of 300 individuals from a village in Southeast Esfahan revealed an incidence of the sickle cell trait of 8.33%. “Cascade screening” enabled 96 relatives in four surrounding villages to be tested, and the at‐risk couples were offered counseling as a “sickle cell control program.” The hematological indices and HbF levels of the affected patients were determined. The HbF levels were unusually high, ranging from 18% to 41.4%, and SS patients with the highest levels were asymptomatic. Linkage analysis revealed the βS gene haplotype in this population to be the Indian‐Arab haplotype. Am. J. Hematol. 65:192–195, 2000.© 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.