Objective:
We aimed to review the abnormal hemoglobin variants detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in our laboratory and to find out different hemoglobin variants by comparing our findings with the literature.
Material and Methods:
1894 patients’ hemoglobin variant analysis results which were analysed in Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital medical biochemistry laboratory between the dates of 24.03.2014 - 05.09.2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Hemoglobin variant analysis analysed at Trinity Biotech Primus Ultra 2 hemoglobin variant autoanalyzer with HPLC method.
Results:
Abnormal hemoglobin variants were found in 18 patients (0.95%). The abnormal hemoglobin variants included Hb S in 8 patients (0.42%) (homozygous Hb SS in 1 case and heterozygous Hb AS in 7 cases), Hb D-Los Angeles in 3 patients (0.16%), and Hb C (0.05%), Hb Q-Iran (0.05%), Hb Hasharon (0.05%), Hb O-Arab (0.05%), Hb Kirksey (0.05%), Hb P-Nilotic (0.05%), Hb J-Toronto (0.05%) in one each patient.
Conclusion:
We found Hb S as the most frequent abnormal hemoglobin variant in our evaluation similar to the frequency in our country as well as the world. Hb D-Los Angeles variant was found as the second most frequent similar to the frequency in our country. In published studies, qualitative and quantitative separation of various hemoglobin fractions with HPLC demonstrated more sensitivity, specificity and precision than the electrophoretic methods. However, it should not be forgotten that the HPLC method is a screening test for hemoglobin variants and the definitive diagnosis can be made by molecular analysis of genes.
Keywords: abnormal hemoglobins, hemoglobinopathies, HPLC