RESUMO
The purpose of the case study was to evaluate the potentialities of using the data found by hematology analyzers in the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia. Eighty (80) persons with homozygous beta-thalassemia, 180 carriers of the beta-thalassemia gene and 50 healthy subjects were examined. Counts of erythrocytes, content of hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocytes indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) were determined in all of them. Besides, also in all cases, the osmotic erythrocyte resistance was investigated; the content of fetal hemoglobin was determined; electrophoresis of hemoglobin in the cellulose-acetate films was made as well as a lack or presence of the interplay between the studied parameters was established through estimating the correlation factor. The results showed significant changes in many parameters both in homo- and hetero-thalassemia versus such parameters in healthy subjects. Blood tests by hematology analyzers in cases of carrier-state of the thalassemia gene were acknowledged to be extra valuable since no clinical signs are available in such disease variation. MCV and MCH are most useful parameters in the diagnosis of heterozygous thalassemia for a reliably direct correlation was found between them.
