Comparison of Results for Three Methods of Hemoglobin S Identification

Abstract We present comparative results of three diagnostic tests for identification of hemoglobin S, performed on specimens from a total of 4,739 persons. A simple, rapid, and economical procedure for cellulose acetate electrophoresis was more efficient than either the "Sickledex" test (a dithionite test) or the metabisulfite reduction test. This is an important consideration as a minimum requirement for effective therapy and genetic counseling. We propose electrophoresis of hemoglobin on cellulose acetate as a primary screening procedure—with verification of positive samples by solubility tests—and discuss its feasibility.</jats:p