Infection is a major complication and the leading cause of death in thalassemia, especially E-
β thalassemia. The spectrum of infections in E-β thalassemia include mild and severe
infections, therapy-related infections such as Yersinia enterocolitica infection associated
with desferrioxamine (DFO) therapy, and transfusion-transmitted disease, as well as unique
infections such as with pythiosis. Prospective studies in Thailand indicate that patients with E-
β thalassemia had more frequent episodes of both mild and severe infections. The former …