Iron overload in subjects with beta‐thalassaemia trait: role of idiopathic haemochromatosis gene

Abstract

We have characterized HLA antigens in subjects with beta-thalassaemia trait with and without iron overload. 50% of the cases with iron overload (v 18% of those without iron overload, P less than 0.01) are carriers of HLA-A3, the HLA antigen tightly linked to the IH allele. Thus, in a considerable number of these subjects, beta-thalassaemia and IH coexist. This association exerts a synergistic effect in inducing iron overload.