Use of Capillary Electrophoresis for Detection of Hemoglobinopathies in Individuals Referred to Health Centers in Masjed-Soleiman

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are the commonest single gene disorder in human that affect hemoglobin production and function that occur when mutations alter the amino acid sequence of globin chains. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of hemoglobninopathies detected by capillary electrophoresis method in individuals referred to Masjed-Soleiman health centers by capillary electrophoresis method. Methods: This study was carried out on 394 individuals referred to Masjed-Soleiman health centers during 2015-2016. Blood samples were collected in EDTA vacutainer tubes, then CBC including blood indexes (MCV, MCH), level of Hemoglobin A, Hb F, Hb A2 and other hemoglobins were evaluated by Sebia minicap (France) and also genetic tests applied for them to confirm results that were aqcuired by capillary electrophoresis method. Results: 77 (19.5%) subjects had HbA2 ≥3.5%, thus were classified as beta thalassemia carrier and 3.3%, 2.5%, 1.5% and 0.5% of the individuals were heterozygote for Hb S, Hb D, Hb C and Hb Bart, respectively. Results of the genetic analysis showed the mutations in these subjects; cd36-37(-T) was the most frequent mutation in beta thalassemia carriers in this geographic region. Conclusion: This study showed high frequency of beta thalassemia mutations in the geographic region of Masjed-Soleiman (19.5), and 7.85% of the individuals had hemoglobin variants including Hb S, Hb D and Hb C detected by capillary electrophoresis. Capillary electrophoresis could be a considerable method for detection of hemoglobinopathies.