High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a screening tool for classical Beta-thalassaemia trait in malaysia

Beta-thalassaemia is characterized by a decrease (β(+)) or absence (β(0)) in the synthesis of β-globin chains of human haemoglobin. The heterozygous state for β(+) or β(0) result in β-thalassaemia trait in which the hallmark is the presence of an elevated level of Haemoglobin (Hb) A(2) (α(2)δ(2)). In the past, the traditional methods such as cellulose acetate electrophoresis with elution and microcolumn chromatrography have been the techniques used by the majority of the laboratories in Malaysia for the estimation of (Hb) A(2) levels. The recommended method currently is high performance liquid chromatography which has only been introduced in a few laboratories in the country.