Homozygous hemoglobin Knossos (alpha 2 beta 227(B9) Ala----Ser): a new variety of beta (+)-thalassemia intermedia associated with delta (0)-thalassemia.

Hb Knossos (beta 27 (B9) Ala----Ser) is a recently discovered hemoglobin variant endowed with beta-thalassemic properties (1,2) We present the first homozygous cases. The propositus, a 19-year-old man is originally from northeast Algeria, but is unrelated to other Algerians who have hemoglobin Knossos. He has a beta(+)-thalassemia intermedia syndrome, including microcytic, hypochromic anemia, enlargement of the spleen, and an increase in the number of reticulocytes. The reduction of beta-chain synthesis is pronounced (alpha/non alpha:2.76). Whole cells containing Hb Knossos have a dramatically low oxygen affinity (P50:38 mm Hg). The propositus also has homozygous delta(0)-thalassemia. The chromosome carrying these mutations is characterized by the DNA haplotype I.