Study of hemoglobin α-thalassemia screening of capillary electrophoresis

Objective To investigate hemoglobin by capillary zone electrophoresis in α-thalassemia screening application. Methods Blood specimens collected from 1000 early pregnancy women were analyzed by fluorescent PCR technique for α-thalassemia genetic diagnosis. The samples were divided into thalassemia group and normal group according to the risk of having α-thalassemia related genes. Then compare hemoglobin ingredients difference between two groups. Results In thalassemia group, the mean and standard deviation of HbA2 respectively was 1.96 and 0.386, while HbF respectively was 0.01 and 0.098.In control, the mean and standard deviation of HbA2 respectively was 2.79 and 0.418, while HbF respectively was 0.01 and 0.105.There was significant difference on value of HbA2 among different groups(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference on value of HbF. If the cut-off value of HbA2 was less than 2.2 in α-thalassemia screening, the detection rate of carrying α-thalassemia gene was 9/16, and false negative rate was7/16. If the cut-off value of HbA2 was less than 2.4, the detection rate of carrying α-thalassemia gene was 10/16, and false negative rate was 6/16. Conclusion The screening efficiency of α-thalassemia is less than β-thalassemia by capillary electrophoresis. But choosing a reasonable cut-off value and combination with other indicators are still clinically acceptable screening program. Key words: Hemoglobins; Electrophoresis; α-thalassaemia; β-thalassaemia; Genes