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Updated: May 28, 2026

A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
The measurement of hemoglobin A2 and F in stored whole blood samples
Mariella Mercadanti1, Araelsis Romero, Giuseppe Lippi
1U.O. di Diagnostica Ematochimica, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Italy.
Background:
Little information is available on the influence of the storage conditions on the results of hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) and F (HbF) testing.
Methods:
The stability of HbA2 and HbF was assessed on stored whole blood samples tested immediately after collection and after one week of storage at either + 4 degrees C or - 80 degrees C.
Results:
An excellent correlation was observed between fresh specimens and those stored at either + 4 degrees C (HbA2: r = 0.994; p < 0.001 and HbF: r = 0.999; p < 0.001) or - 80 degrees C (HbA2: r = 0.995; p < 0.001 and HbF: r = 0.999; p < 0.001). The mean biases from the reference fresh specimens were very modest for samples stored at + 4 degrees C (HbA2: -0.06%; HbF: 0.02%;) and - 80 degrees C (HbA2: - 0.06%; HbF: 0.05%).
Conclusions:
The results of our investigation demonstrate that whole blood specimens for HbA2 and HbF testing can be stored at + 4 degrees C or - 80 degrees C for up to one week.
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