Use of blood specimens collected on filter paper in screening for abnormal hemoglobins

ABSTRACT

Both cellulose acetate electrophoresis and citrate agar electrophoresis were performed on 834 blood samples collected on filter paper in Jamaica and shipped for testing to the National Hemoglobinopathy Standardization Laboratory at the U.S. National Center for Disease Control. Additionally, 30 blood samples collected locally were stored on filter paper, in microhematocrit capillary tubes, and as whole blood specimens; at selected times the samples were tested for stability to determine the best sample-collection technique for hemoglobin electrophoresis. Results were most nearly accurate when both cellulose acetate electrophoresis and citrate agar testing were used. The methods are easy to perform, but results are unreliable if the blood samples on filter paper are stored at 4§C for longer than two weeks before they are tested (AU)