The overlay WinMDI image seen above shows a normal subject (red) and a B.Thal. Intermedia in blue. To date we have seen this in three Intermedia cases and one Hgb E/Beta+ Thal. Two de-novo Beta.Thal. Major and one Hgb E homozygote showed no autofluorescence whatsoever. The autofluorescence does not appear to be restricted to the green end of the spectrum but is still present at 675nm. It does diminish steadily through the four PMT's as it moves toward the red, however. We have not yet established the emission spectrum. Why this phenomenon should appear to be restricted to transfusion independent Thalassaemia "variants" is a matter for conjecture, but may have prognostic significance.

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