Hemoglobin E Distribution in Ten Endogamous Population Groups of Assam, India

Abstract

Previous studies have reported a high incidence of hemoglobin E (HbE) in Northeast Indian populations. In the present study 10 endogamous populations of Assam belonging to two racial groups, Caucasoid and Mongoloid, were examined. The frequency of HbE gene (Hb βE) in the Caucasoid caste populations is around 0.1, whereas the gene is highly prevalent in the Mongoloid populations, frequencies ranging between 0.2 and 0.6. Predominance of Hb βE in the Tibeto-Burman speakers is contrary to observations made in Southeast Asia, where an association between Austro-Asiatic speakers and high prevalence of HbE exist. The highest occurrence of the gene in this area, which is on the far end of the proposed centre of distribution in Northern Kampuchea and Northeast Thailand, is also a deviation from the expected pattern of gene distribution. It is speculated that Hb βE in the Tibeto-Burman populations of Assam arose by an independent mutation which contributed to the high frequencies of Hb βE in the Northeast Indian populations.

Hemoglobin E in Northeast India: A review on its origin, distribution, migration and health implication

“…As per their findings hemoglobin associated haplotype 27-2 is the most common in Southeast Asia (Thailand) and the presence of the same haplotype among the Kachari population of Northeast India suggests single origin of HbE in Thailand and Assam (Hundrieser et al 1988). Deka et al (1988) once suggested that in case of multiple mutational events, a second mutant might have its origin in the Tibeto-Burman population of Assam. A study (Das et al 2000) among the tribal population from Tripura of Tibeto-Burman linguistic affiliation suggested that all the mutations observed were linked to framework 2 and also found that type-2 haplotype (5′+++β E -3′) was most common among them (19 out of 26 chromosomes).…”

“…Mukherjee and Das (1990) suggested that a possible reason for the rise of HbE frequency among the Ahom community might be related to the gene flow from Chutia population (a Bodo group of people) as intermixture of Chutias with the Ahom had been suggested in literature (Chatterjee 1974). Deka et al (1988) also conducted a study among the Brahmins (a priestly caste) and found that they have a low HbE frequency which was significantly different from that of the other Caucasoid groups of Assam. They suggested that Brahmins being a priestly caste occupy the highest position in the caste hierarchy and it was possible that caste endogamy had been stricter in them in comparison to the castes with lower position in the hierarchical system.…”

Haemoglobinopathies and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in a malaria endemic region of Manipur, northeast India

“…A cumulative high frequency of HBAE and HBEE (19.23%) has been reported among the Muslims of Assam (Deka et al, 1988) and a relatively low frequency (4.71%) was found among the Bengali Muslims of Bangladesh (Papiha et al, 1975). A lower frequency of NESTROFT-positives among the Pangans may be attributed to their migration from the area which is now in Bangladesh.…”

Haemoglobin Variants among the Bengali Muslims and the Meiteis in two Villages of Cachar District of Assam, India

“…HbS, HbE and HbD as well as thalassaemia are the most widely distributed haemoglobin disordersin India, out of which HbE is widely distributed in north-eastern states of India [4,5,6,17,18,19]. The cumulative gene frequency of haemoglobinopathies in India is 4.2% [19].…”

“…Haemoglobinopathies are the most commonly encountered hereditary abnormalities of blood posing a major genetic burden and public health problem in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent [3]. HbS, HbE and HbD as well as thalassemia are the most widely distributed haemoglobin disorders in India out of which HbE is widely distributed in north-eastern states of India [4,5,6]. Thalassemia results from the reduced rate of synthesis one of the globin chains can cause the formation of abnormal haemoglobin molecules which in turn causes the anemia.…”