Hb Tak and Hb Q-Thailand in Thai patients are S-window hemoglobin variants revealed by high performance liquid chromatography.

ABSTRACT

The S-window hemoglobin (Hb) variants revealed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were studied in 12 Thai individuals. The variants were identified, using DNA sequencing and multiplex amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), to be six cases of Hb Tak [beta147 (+AC)], and six cases of Hb Q-Thailand [alpha74(EF3)Asp-->His], respectively. By using the Capillarys 2-capillary zone electrophoresis (CE), Hb Tak and Hb Q-Thailand co-migrated with Hb F in zone 7. This might pose a problem as the high Hb F conditions suggest a differential diagnosis. The S-window Hb variants are mostly Hb Tak and Hb Q-Thailand in the Thai population rather than Hb S [beta6(A3)Glu-->Val]. The definite identification of Hb variants detected by HPLC or capillary electrophoresis (CE) requires DNA analysis.