Which of the following is the most likely abnormal hemoglobin in this man?

A 28-year-old man, originally from West Africa, is found on routine examination to have splenomegaly. His hemoglobin is 9.5 g/dL, and blood film examination reveals target cells. Which of the following is the most likely abnormal hemoglobin in this man?

(A) HbM
(B) HbS
© Hb Zurich
(D) HbC
(E) Hb Barts

solution

HbC characteristically produces targeting in the peripheral blood and also hemoglobin crystals in the cells. HbC is found in 17–28% of West Africans. Splenomegaly is a fairly constant feature, but most patients are quite asymptomatic