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Development of a Microscopic Method for the Exposure of Hemoglobin C
Author(s) -
Schmidt Kayla Leanne,
Randolph Tim R
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.608.10
Subject(s) - hemoglobin , genotype , methylene blue , incubation , salt (chemistry) , hemoglobinopathy , anemia , phosphate buffered saline , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , chromatography , disease , biochemistry , gene , photocatalysis , catalysis
Hemoglobin C is the second most prevalent hemoglobinopathy worldwide behind sickle cell anemia (HbS). HbC disease (HbCC) produces only mild symptoms, but is a life‐threatening disorder if inherited with HbS (HbSC). HbS and HbC are most prevalent in countries underequipped to diagnose its presence through the Gold Standard of electrophoresis. This study aims to create a simple, inexpensive method to identify the presence of Hemoglobin C using limited resources. The hypothesis is that when blood is incubated in a hypertonic salt solution, Hemoglobin C will crystalize intracellularly and become visible microscopically when stained with New Methylene Blue. The method was optimized by modifying the salt type, salt concentration, and incubation time. The optimized method uses a 5× Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline at 37°C for 4 hours. Blood samples with the HbSC genotype yielded 702 for every 1000 RBCs counted. Blood samples of AC, CC, SC, and AA genotypes will be tested to determine if the number of crystals that form can be used to differentiate genotypes. If so, this inexpensive, simple, and relatively rapid method can be used to identify patients with HbS and potentially determine genotype. Support or Funding Information KS is supported by the DeNardo Education and Research Foundation Fellowship.