G-6-PD and haemoglobin variants among twelve endogamous Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India.

Incidence of haemoglobin variants and G-6-PD deficiency among 1385 males belonging to 12 endogamous Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, have been reported. Of the 12 castes studied 11 lacked the allele for G-6-PD deficiency; 2.7% of the Thellaris were found to be deficient. Haemoglobin Hb-D trait is found in 2 of the 12 castes; the incidence among Ahirs and Hatkars being 0.82% and 1.91%, respectively. One case of Hb-J among the Ahirs, and 2 examples of thalassaemia trait, one each among Ahirs and Gadharis, have been detected. The low incidence of observed G-6-PD deficiency and the detection of Hb-D and J traits, as well as thalassaemia have been discussed in the light of the nomadic way of life of some of the Dhangar castes and prevalence of malaria in the region they occupy. The data strongly suggest that the Dhangars arrived in Maharashtra in the recent past from northwest.