Usefulness of HPLC Methodology for the Characterization of Combinations of the Common β Chain Variants HBS S, C, and O-ARAB, and the α Chain Variant HB G-Philadelphia

Abstract

We have analyzed the blood samples from seven members of two families that contained mixtures of different hemoglobin types due to the simultaneous presence of different β chain variants and the α chain variant Hb G-Philadelphia. The methods used were isoelectrofocusing and cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography for the separation of the hemoglobin components, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography for that of the various α and β chains; the chromatographic procedures also provided quantitative data. Application of these fast and simple high performance liquid chromatographic methods greatly aided in defining the different hemoglobinopathies that were present in these persons, including an additional α-thalassemia-2 heterozygosity or homozygosity.