Application of flow cytometric beads for simultaneous CD4 and CD8 determinations in HIV-1 infected thalassemia patients.

Background: CD4 and CD8 are determined by either a dual step assay using a calculation of absolute lymphocytes obtained from routine CBC or by a single step assay by including cytometric beads and fluorescent microspheres in the sample so that an absolute cell count can be made, simultaneously. Since thalassemia is common in Thailand, and a number of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) are observed in peripheral blood of thalassemia patients with severe anemia, we speculated that NRBC in HIV-1 infected thalassemia patient with severe anemia might cause an error in CD4 and CD8 determinations in the dual step assay.

Objective: Comparing cytometric beads in three-color-lyse-no-wash in the single step assay in CD4 and CD8 with dual step assay by calculation using absolute lymphocytes obtained from routine CBC in HIV-1 infected thalassemia patients with severe anemia.

Rapid diagnosis of thalassemias and other hemoglobinopathies by capillary electrophoresis system.

Basic diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies can be performed by analysis of erythrocyte indices as well as by the separation and quantification of the common hemoglobin (Hb) fractions Hb A(2), Hb S, Hb C, Hb D, Hb E, and Hb F. This study used an automatic capillary zone electrophoresis system to diagnose various types of hemoglobinopathies common in the Thai population. A total of 459 adults were recruited, which consisted of normal, various types of thalassemia carriers, and thalassemia patients with different genotypes.