Detection of hemoglobinopathies in hypochromic, microcytic and sickeled cell blood films by hemoglobin electrophoresis

الملخص EN

Background : The hemoglobin molecule (Hb) is protein carries a negative charge that render it attracts to anode pole causing separate it and moving toward the positive pole of electric current, affected by the movement of this type of charge (negative or positive) and strength as well as the molecular weight of hemoglobin type.

Until these days, there are more than 300 known genetic mutation may occur in hemoglobin molecule.

Some of them with clear clinical implications that threat health, especially for heterozygous states.

Objective : To detect some of hemoglobinopathies such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia cases by hemoglobin electrophoresis technique in population sample identified from Nassiriyah governorate in Iraq.

Methods : Eighty samples of blood were drawn from subjects who suspected to have hemoglobinopathies and examined by Hb electrophoresis technique in College of medicine–Thiqar University.

The diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies was made on the basis of hemoglobin electrophoresis, sickling tests, and family studies.

Persons, who have low level of hemoglobin concentrations, accompanied with elevation of abnormal hemoglobin percentage, were involved in this study.

Fifty eight cases of hemoglobinopathies were diagnosed, 30 of ٨0 (٣٧.5 %) as β- thalassemia, and 28 of ٨0 (35 %) as sickle cell disease carriers.

Results : Iraqi β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia carriers were identified in hematology sections in Nasseriah governorate hospitals.

Recent hemoglobin protein study revealed the presence of different common defected hemoglobin types associated with these disorders, distributed as the following : 15 subjects (18.7 %) were (HbAS) and 8 (10 %) were (HbFS) sickle cell minor carriers, 7(8.8 %) were (HbS) sickle cell disease, while thalassemic major were : 9 (11.3 %) with (HbF), and 12 (15 %) with (HbAF) type.

Thalassemia minor hemoglobin (HbA2) type represents 7 (8.8 %).

However, there are also 22 subjects were have normal Hb electrophoresis.

Conclusion : The investigations described below manifested a rapid and simple method which allows quantitative analysis of the proportions of the various hemoglobins forms present.

Hemoglobin gel electrophoresis is a simple and convenient technique for the study of the hereditary hemoglobimiopathies in alkaline pH (4.8 to 6.8).

We suggest extending its usage to the detection of other hemoglobin disorders.