Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and hemoglobin variants in Kel Kummer Tuareg and related groups. Indirect evidence for alpha-thalassemia trait.

A field study of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and hemoglobin polymorphisms was performed in 327 subjects belonging to the Kel Kummer, a highly inbred Tuareg tribe of North-East Mali, and to the contact populations. In the Kel Kummer group 11% of the investigated subjects carried the nondeficient G6PD A+ variant. No other G6PD variant was found. Hemoglobin D Ouled-Rabah was found in 21% of the subjects of this group. The presence of an alpha-thalassemic trait was also inferred from indirect evidence. The contact groups (Inedän, Iklan, Kel es Suq and Dausahaq) exhibited different polymorphisms at the G6PD and globin loci, substantiating their belonging to different ethnic stock.