Molecular characterization of a discrete hemoglobinopathy upon investigation for a lung hydatic cyst in an old Tunisian patient.

Imen Moumni (1) , Sadok Yalaoui (2) , Najla Ghrairi (2) , Agnies Hamzaoui (3) , Amin Zoraï (1) , Salem Abbes (1)

1 Institut Pasteur de Tunis
2 Laboratory of medical biology
3 Service B of pneumology

We report the case of an old Tunisian patient hospitalized for a complicated hydatic cyst of the right lung. Primary laboratory investigation showed a microcytic hypochromic anemia with an abnormal hemoglobin pattern. Hemoglobin analysis and DNA sequencing of the β-globin gene revealed a compound heterozygote, HbO-Arab/cd 39 β°-thalassemia. This hemoglobinopathy was never diagnosed earlier. It spent undiagnosed until the patient presented with hydatic cyst. Coexistence of the two pathologies complicated the general state of the patient and led to a severe anemia. The patient has undergone a surgical therapy for the hydatic cyst and was advised to start a follow up for her hemoglobinopathy.

Keywords: hydatic cyst; chronic anemia; Hb O-Arab; β-thalassemia; DNA sequencing

Imen Moumni, Sadok Yalaoui, Najla Ghrairi, Agnies Hamzaoui, Amin Zoraï, et al.. Molecular characterization of a discrete hemoglobinopathy upon investigation for a lung hydatic cyst in an old Tunisian patient.. Annales de Biologie Clinique, 2011, 69 (3), pp.353-6. ⟨10.1684/abc.2011.0582⟩. ⟨pasteur-00606416⟩