Comparison of two methods for the quantification and identification of hemoglobin variants

Background: The Sebia Capillarys 2, a capillary electrophoresis method, was compared to a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis at alkaline and acid pH for the presumptive identification and quantitation of hemoglobin variants. Methods: The concordance of hemoglobin variant identification on the Sebia Capillarys 2 with the combination of H-PLC and electrophoresis at alkaline and acid pH was evaluated by analyzing samples on both systems. The quantification, expressed as % of total hemoglobin, of the common hemoglobin variants on the Capillarys 2 and the Bio Rad VARIANT Pi beta thalassemia methods were compared. Results: The % hemoglobin variant results for the two methods were similar for HbS and slightly different for HbC and D Punjab and significantly different for HbE. The Sebia Capillarys 2 correctly identified a number of hemoglobin variants. Conclusion: The Sebia Capillarys 2 is suitable for the presumptive identification and quantification of hemoglobin variants producing results comparable with existing HPLC and electrophoresis methods. (C) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.