Analysis of δ-globin gene alleles in Tunisians: description of three new delta-thalassemia mutations.

Background: Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent worldwide autosomal recessive disorders characterized by a great molecular and clinical expression heterogeneity. Alpha and beta-thalassemia are the main two types observed in case of mutations affecting alpha and beta-globin genes respectively. Delta-thalassemia is noted when mutations occur on the delta-globin gene.