A Rare Case Of Co-Existent Hb Q India-Beta Thalassemia Trait

摘要

Hb Q- India is a rare alpha chain variant and usually it presents in the heterozygous state. It's presence along with beta thalassemia trait again adds to its rarity. Such a rare entity can be diagnosed by careful screening in routine practice with the use of the techniques like Hb electrophoresis, Solubility test. We report a case of Hb Q in a concomitant presence of Beta thalassemia trait. Case Report A 19 years old boy presented to us for the screening of the beta thalassemia minor and was found to have variant hemoglobin migrating in the position of the Hemoglobin S (HbS) on cellulose acetate electrophoresis at alkaline pH. The patient was asymptomatic without any significant past or family history and clinical examination. Automated cell counter used to determine the cell counts and indices showed the presence of thalassemic indices, whereas solubility test for sickling was negative (Table-1). Suspecting the presence of beta thalassemia trait, Hb electrophoresis at pH 8.4 was performed which showed presence of an abnormal band in the position of Hb S and duplicated bands of Hb A2 apart from normal band of Hb A, suggesting the presence of alpha chain variant in heterozygous state (Figure-1).