Quantitation of Hb A2 with DE-52 Microchromatography in Whole Blood as Screening Test for β-Thalassemia Heterozygotes

Abstract

Hb A₂ was assayed by means of DE-52 microchromatography in hemolysates from 285 normal subjects and 223 β-thalassemia heterozygotes. No overlap was found between both groups. Comparable results were observed analyzing whole blood samples collected in capillary tubes from 550 normal subjects and 295 β-thalassemia heterozygotes. Our results demonstrate that this technique is useful in a screening program for β-thalassemia trait.