Hemoglobin E Prevalence among People Residing in Malaria Areas

Background: Malaria can infect erythrocytes and hence cause different pathogenesis episodes leading to death mostly in pregnant women and children under the age of 5 years. The selective pressure of these parasites leads to the production of new human genetic diseases. The most prevalent genetic alterations in the human genome are thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies (Hb E, Hb S), which are recognized throughout the world, including Saudi Arabia. Methods: From May 2018 to August 2019, 13972 Saudi citizens from King Fahd Central Hospital and premarital facilities in the Saudi Arabian province of Jazan participated in this study. This study aims to compare the prevalence of Hb E and other hemoglobinopathies in positive versus negative cases of malaria. So, CBC, malaria test, Hb-electrophoresis, and molecular study were investigated. Result: For thalassemias and Hb disorders, 36% with abnormal Hb (47% of them) carried Hb S in their blood, 37% with á-thalassemia, 11% for â-thalassemia and 4% of Hb E. Significant variations in CBC parameters were observed in Hb E patients. There was significant decrease in MCV, MCH and MCHC and slightly increase in WBCs, RBCs, RDW and PLT as compared to controls.