Potential Application of a New Screening Test for α-Thalassemia-1 Carriers

Abstract

A murine hybridoma cell line secreting monoclonal anti-human embryonic ζ-globin chain antibody has been established. Using this monoclonal antibody, a slot blot immunobinding assay for the detection of ζ-globin chains in adult hemolysates has been developed. This simple test can identify individuals who are α-thalassemia-1 carriers due to the (-SEA/) deletion. It is proposed that this test should be made generally available in Southeast Asia and Southern China, in order to identify couples who are at risk of begetting fetuses afflicted with homozygous α-thalassemia.