Evaluation of a capillary electrophoresis method for routine determination of hemoglobins A2 and F

Clin Chem. 1999 Feb;45(2):237-43.

Abstract

Hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and hemoglobin F (Hb F) are important analytes in the diagnosis and follow up of Hb diseases. We evaluated a new capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) kit for Hb A2 and Hb F measurements. The imprecision ranged from 3% to 6% for Hb A2 and Hb F at physiological and pathological concentrations. The method compared well with cation-exchange HPLC for Hb A2 and Hb F and with anion-exchange chromatography in microcolumns (MAEC), for Hb A2. Nevertheless, higher results were obtained [Hb A2 CZE (%) = 1.233 Hb A2 HPLC - 0.2; Hb A2 CZE (%) = 1.190 Hb A2 MAEC + 0.1; Hb FCZE (%) = 1.118 Hb FHPLC + 0.4], and new reference values had to be determined (Hb A2 2.7-3.8%; Hb F <1.2%). Quantification of Hb A2 was not influenced by Hb S. Measurement of Hb F was accurate and precise except at low concentrations in Hb AS patients. This new CZE kit is rapid, precise, and reliable, and seems appropriate for use in clinical laboratories.

MeSH terms

  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / standards
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Fetal Hemoglobin / analysis*
  • Hemoglobin A2 / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Reference Standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Hemoglobin A2
  • Fetal Hemoglobin