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Screening of blood donors for sickle cell trait using a DNA ‐based approach: Frequency in a multiethnic donor population
Author(s) -
Gowda Lohith,
Vege Sunitha,
Kessler Debra,
Shaz Beth,
Westhoff Connie M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.16403
Subject(s) - sickle cell trait , population , hemoglobin , solubility , high performance liquid chromatography , medicine , red blood cell , hemoglobin variants , chromatography , immunology , chemistry , disease , organic chemistry , environmental health
Abstract Background Minority RBC donors are important to support the transfusion needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Testing of donors for sickle cell trait (SCT) is performed to avoid transfusion of hemoglobin S+ (HbS+) RBCs to specific patient groups and to investigate leukoreduction failures. A screening assay based on hemoglobin solubility is commonly used. The purpose of this study was to validate a DNA approach for HbS screening. Methods Hemoglobin solubility screening (Pacific Hemostasis or SICKLEDEX) and PreciseType human erythrocyte antigen (HEA)‐HbS (Immucor) targeting c.20A>T in the β‐globin gene were performed according to manufacturer's directions. Resolution of differences in results included gene sequencing and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results Initial validation of HEA‐HbS performed by testing 60 known samples, 20 HbS/A, A/A, and S/S, gave expected results. However, in the subsequent parallel testing phase, 4/58 samples HbS+ by solubility assay tested negative by HEA‐HbS; the negative results were confirmed by β‐globin gene sequencing. Samples from donors self‐identifying as White testing HbS+ by solubility assay ( n = 60) were retested by HEA‐HbS and HPLC. The HEA‐HbS assay was concordant with HPLC which is recognized as the gold standard for hemoglobin variation. Conclusion A DNA‐based approach is an alternative to screen donors for SCT, found in approximately 7% of Black and 1.7% of our random donors. HEA‐HbS correlated with HPLC results in all samples tested, supporting the use of HEA‐HbS as the test of record. The method allows higher throughput screening and testing at the donor center allows association of the screening result with the donor record to avoid repeat testing.