genetic defect of haemoglobin due to a substitution of lysine for glutamic acid in the ß-globin chain at position 6 (same point as substitution in HbS)
frequent in West Africa
HbC tends to form rhomboidal crystals
in homozygotes - mild haemolytic anaemia with marked target cell formation, microspherocytes and cells with rhomboidal shape; splenomegaly
in heterozygotes (carriers) - a few target cells only
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