Abstract
Hereditary haemochromatosis is an inherited disorder characterised by an excessive iron absorption from the diet and is associated with several HFE gene mutations. One hypothesis is that these genetic mutations originated in the Celtic populations. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of HFE gene mutations in a clustered Italian population of Celtic ancestry (Cimbri, Asiago plateau). One hundred and forty-nine consecutive unrelated blood donors (31 females and 118 males) were enrolled in this study. A family investigation was performed in each case to identify the ethnic origin of the individuals. The analysis of HFE gene mutations was performed by PCR amplification followed by digestion with RsaI and DpnII restriction enzymes. At least one HFE gene mutation was identified in 49 individuals (32.9%) of the studied population. The allele frequencies of the C282Y and H63D were respectively 0.037 and 0.144. When we considered only the 103 individuals with relatives born in Asiago, the prevalence of the HFE mutations rose from 32.9 to 39.8%; the allele frequencies of the C282Y and H63D were respectively 0.048 and 0.174. The mean serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly higher in individuals with the HFE mutations than in normal cases. This study indicates that the prevalence of the HFE gene mutations is surprisingly high in Italians with Celtic ancestry. This could suggest the need to perform large mass studies in selected areas of the country to detect the affected patients and prevent the disease in homozygous individuals.
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Acknowledgements
This study was partly supported by MURST 40% and 60% projects, and, by IRCCS Burlo Garofolo ‘progetto ricerca corrente’ n. 19/99. Serena Vatta is the recipient of a fellowship from IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste. We are indebted to Dr Armanda Diamantini and Dr Carla Giordano of the Transfusion Centre of Bassano for providing the blood donors' samples. We thank Bruce Dangerfield PhD (Rush Cancer Institute, 2242 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60601-3515) for reviewing the manuscript and for the helpful discussion. The authors are greatly indebted to Nicole Bolzicco for her collaboration in the preparation of this manuscript.
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Pozzato, G., Zorat, F., Nascimben, F. et al. Haemochromatosis gene mutations in a clustered Italian population: evidence of high prevalence in people of Celtic ancestry. Eur J Hum Genet 9, 445–451 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200643
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200643
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