AI Article Synopsis
- Routine hemoglobin H (HbH) tests to detect alpha-thalassemia have sensitivity issues and can be labor-intensive.
- A study found that a commercial zeta-globin ELISA is more effective than the HbH screen in detecting Southeast Asian alpha-thalassemia.
- When used together, the zeta-globin ELISA and a shortened HbH screen significantly enhance prenatal screening for carriers of hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis, facilitating better detection and follow-up testing.
Article Abstract
Routine laboratories use a hemoglobin H (HbH) screen to detect alpha-thalassemia carriers of fatal hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis. This test is laborious and has sensitivity concerns. A commercial zeta-globin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is effective in detecting Southeast Asian (SEA) alpha-thalassemia. We present results of a study of the effectiveness of carrier detection of ELISA and a shortened HbH screen compared with gap polymerase chain reaction. ELISA was superior to the HbH screen for the SEA alpha0-thalassemia trait. The ELISA and H screen were equal for detection of all carriers encountered and combined were more effective than either test alone. A positive zeta-globin ELISA result is diagnostic of SEA alpha-thalassemia, and routine use of the zeta-globin ELISA in combination with a shortened HbH screen will improve the efficacy of prenatal screening for carriers of hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis through improved detection and referral for follow-up DNA testing.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1309/MNPF3XXXVAX5NM9H | DOI Listing |
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