In India, although major cause of anaemia is said to be nutritional deficiencies which can be treated by medications, haemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited red cell disorders causing anaemia world-wide. Most clinically significant haemoglobinopathies are inherited defects of the globin chain of adult haemoglobin. Identification of these disorders is immensely important epidemiologically and for prevention of thalassaemias, sickle cell anaemia and other clinically severe haemoglobinopathies. OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thalassaemias, sickle cell and other haemoglobinopathies in patients of a tertiary care hospital of Jharkhand. MATERIALS AND METHODSA prospective study was undertaken in which 1048 cases were included over a period of 3 years {From October 2012 to Sept 2015} for patient referred from outpatient and inpatient department of tertiary medical care hospital for anaemia. Clinical history and family history were obtained from each patient. The venous blood samples were analysed for complete blood count and HighPerformance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was performed on the samples with Bio-Rad Variant II. RESULTSNormal haemoglobin (Hb) pattern was observed in 444 (42.5%) cases and abnormalities were detected in 600 (57.5%) patients. β (beta) thalassaemia trait was the most common abnormality found in 156 (14.9%) patients. Sickle cell disease in 128 (12.2%) patients, HbSβ in 128 (12.26%) patients, β thalassaemia major/intermedia in 112 (10.7%) cases, Sickle cell trait in 55 (5.2%) cases. Other variants detected included HbE, HbD-Punjab, HbD-Punjab trait, double heterozygous state of HbE and β-thalassaemia HbE, double heterozygous state of HbS and HbD-Punjab and HbJ-Meerut. CONCLUSIONPremarital and antenatal screenings are important measures to prevent birth of children with severe Hb disorders. HPLC is a rapid and reliable technique for identification of various Hb fractions.

Background: Apparently healthy blood donors may carry double viral co-infections that might be more fatal than viral mono-infection for the donor himself as well as recipient later on.Methods: All blood samples were screened for HIV-I and II (4th generation kit), HBV and HCV (3rd generation kit) by using chemiluminescence technique (Manufacturer- Abbott, Model-Architect i 1000SR).Results: On screening of 41307 blood units, 829 (2.0%) donors were found positive for one of the viral infection (HBV, HCV and HIV). Highest prevalence was for HBV (417 donors- 1.0%) followed by HCV (324 donors- 0.78 %) and HIV (88 donors- 0.21 %).Conclusions: Apparently healthy blood donors might carry, life threatening, double viral co-infections in their blood. Failure to diagnose and treat co-infection at an early stage results in serious complications and sequelae. For safe blood transfusion all blood units should be tested for compatibility and TTI’s with reduction in unnecessary blood transfusion.

: Pigmentd variant of dermatofibosarcoma protuberans(DFSP)