HbA2 levels in β-thalassaemia carriers with the Filipino β0-deletion: are the levels higher than what is found with non-deletional forms of β0-thalassaemia?

SummaryAimsClassical carriers of β0-thalassaemia are identified by a raised HbA2 level. Earlier studies indicated that the Filipino β0-deletion has high raised HbA2 levels. The introduction of automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for thalassaemia screening is an important advance in technology for haematology laboratories. The BioRad Variant II Hb analyser is a common instrument used to quantify HbA2 levels in thalassaemia screening. This study aimed to determine HbA2 levels in carriers of Filipino β0-mutation using the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser.MethodsThe Filipino β0-deletion was identified using gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the parents of transfusion dependent β0-thalassaemia patients who were homozygous for the Filipino β0-deletion in the indigenous population of Sabah, Malaysia. Hb subtypes were quantified on the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser. Concurrent α-thalassaemia was identified by multiplex gap-PCR for deletions and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR for non-deletional mutations.ResultsThe mean HbA2 level for Filipino β0-thalassaemia trait was 5.9 ± 0.47 and with coinheritance of α-thalassaemia was 6.3 ± 0.44 (-α3.7 heterozygous) and 6.7 ± 0.36 (-α37 homozygous). The HbA2 levels were all >4% in keeping with the findings of classical β-thalassaemia trait and significantly higher than levels seen in non-deletional forms of β-thalassaemia.ConclusionThe HbA2 level measured on the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser was lower than the level in the first description of the Filipino β0-thalassaemia. β-thalassaemia trait with coinheritance of α-thalassaemia (-α3.7) is associated with significantly higher HbA2 level.