The relationship between anemia, fecal stercobilinogen, erythrocyte
survival, and globin synthesis in heterozygotes for beta-thalassemia
E Gallo, P Pich, G Ricco, G Saglio, C Camaschella and U Mazza
Erythrocyte survival, fecal stercobilinogen, and the alpha/beta-chain
synthesis ratio in recticulocytes and bone marrow (six cases only) were
determined and related to the hemoglobin levels in ten heterozygous
carriers of beta-thalassemia with different degrees of anemia. Erythrocyte
survival values were low, though not related to the degree of anemia,
whereas stercobilinogen values and changes in the peripheral blood
alpha/beta-chain ratios were so correlated. In the case of bone marrow, on
the other hand, the ratio between alpha-chain and beta-chain synthesis was
virtually 1, irrespective of the degree of anemia. It is suggested that the
severity of anemia in heterozygous carriers is independent of peripheral
hemolysis and entirely attributable to destruction of erythroblasts within
the marrow.
Volume 46,
Issue 5,
pp. 693-698,
11/01/1975
Copyright © 1975 by The American Society of Hematology
