300 random blood samples collected from residents of Khartoum, Sudan, were analysed for 5 blood group systems, 4 serum proteins, 9 red cell enzymes, abnormal haemoglobins and beta-thalassaemia. The results suggest varying degrees of admixture of the local tribes by migration from the surrounding regions. Two samples showed a probable new variant of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (? GdB Khartoum) with normal red cell activity. In spite of the presence of a high degree of consanguinity in the population, there was no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in any of the polymorphic systems.

125 Sudanese patients suffering from vitiligo were investigated for the distribution of serum proteins (haptoglobins and transferrins), red cell enzymes (acid phosphatase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and hemoglobins. The results were compared with the published healthy population series investigated for the same genetic markers. There was no significant association with any of the marker systems in vitiligo except glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. An excess deficiency of this enzyme was observed in vitiligo patients compared to the control series.

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One hundred and seventy Sudanese patients suffering from vitiligo were investigated for the distribution of A,A,BO, MNSs, Rhesus (genotypes), Kell and Duffy blood groups. The same genetic markers were investigated in Sudanese controls, consisting of two series: a published population series and a random sample of healthy blood donors. The relative frequencies of these blood groups were examined between the vitiligo patients and either or both of the control series. There was no significant association of ABO, Ss, Rhesus, Kell and Duffy blood groups in vitiligo. However, a significant association was observed with the MN system with an excess of homozygotes and of the M gene in vitiligo.