Hemoglobin Balkh, a Novel Mutation in Codon 132 of α2-Globin Gene [α132(H15) (+T) or HBA2:C.396dup (p.Val134fs)]: A Case Report and Insight into the Pathophysiology

We report a novel mutation on α2-globin gene leading to an elongated α-chain. This novel frameshift mutation was detected in a 13-year-old boy from Balkh province, Afghanistan. DNA analysis identified an insertion of thymine (T) at codon 132 [HBA2:c.396dup (p.Val134fs)]. We named the novel hemoglobin variant ‘Hemoglobin Balkh’ after the geographic location from which the patient originated. This novel variant was found in association with α3.7 kb α-globin gene deletion, suggesting a compound heterozygous state that contributes to the patient’s clinical presentation.