Studies on several genetic hematological traits of the Mexican population. XVI. Hemoglobin, S and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the east coast

The distribution of abnormal hemoglobins, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, blood group antigens A, B, M, N, C, c, D, E, e, V, Duffy and Diego, serum haptoglobins, transferrins and pseudocholinesterase types, were investigated in five villages of the East Coast of Mexico, where vivax malaria was endemic until recently. Hemoglobin S and G-6-PD deficiency were present in variable degrees in all five locations. All patients with the enzyme deficiency had the A band by electrophoresis, which coupled with the presence of hemoglobin C and haptoglobin 2-1 M in a few individuals strongly suggested Negro admixture. The high frequency of antigen V and the relatively low frequency of Fy (a +) were congruent with the above hypothesis and the conclusion was drawn that the presence of hemoglobin S and G-6-PD deficiency in this area is due to Negro admixture. Unusually high frequencies of the Diego antigen were observed in three of the five villages studied.