A new highly unstable alpha chain variant causing alpha(+)-thalassemia: Hb Zurich Albisrieden [alpha59(E8)Gly-->Arg (alpha2)].

A new alpha-globin mutation causing persistent mild hypochromic microcytosis and erythrocytosis is described. Hb Zurich Albisrieden [alpha59(E8)Gly-->Arg (alpha2)] is not detected at the protein level and leads to alpha(+)-thalassemia (thal).