Hematological characteristics of sardinian alpha-thalassemia carriers detected in a population study.

88 adults with thalassemia-like red cell indices, normal serum iron and normal hemoglobin (Hb) A2 and F levels, diagnosed in a mass screening had Hb H inclusion bodies studies (65 subjects) or Hb H inclusion bodies studies and globin chain synthesis analysis (23 subjects). The alpha/beta ratio of 0.70 +/- 0.10 was the same as in obligate alpha-thalassemia-1 (alpha-thal) carriers. Hb H inclusion bodies studies were found to be a reliable test for alpha-thal trait identification, resulting positive in approximately 70% of suspected carriers. The alpha-thal carrier defined by Hb H preparation or by globin chain synthesis had significant reduction in the mean Hb level, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and a significant increase in mean red cell count, but there was some overlap with controls.