Blood Rheological Characterization of β-Thalassemia Trait and Iron Deficiency Anemia Using Front Microrheometry

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Hematology
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Beta-thalassemia trait (β-TT) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common hematological conditions.
• Accurate and accessible diagnostic tools are crucial for timely intervention and management.
• Current diagnostic methods may be influenced by hematocrit levels, necessitating alternative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a hematocrit-independent method for detecting β-TT and IDA.
• To characterize blood rheology for differentiating between healthy, β-TT, and IDA samples.
• To lay the foundation for a microfluidic point-of-care device for diagnosing red blood cell disorders.

Main Methods:

• Rheological characterization of whole blood samples from healthy donors, β-TT, and IDA patients.
• Utilizing front microrheometry to measure viscosity as a function of mean front velocity.
• Developing a mathematical model to normalize viscosity data across varying hematocrit levels.
• Comparing results with the gold-standard Laser-Optical Rotational Red Cell Analyzer (LoRRCA) for red blood cell deformability.

Main Results:

• Distinct viscosity curves were observed for healthy, β-TT, and IDA blood samples.
• A mathematical model successfully classified viscosity patterns based on health status, independent of hematocrit.
• The rheological method shows potential for differentiating between these common blood disorders.
• Viscosity variations are linked to red blood cell factors like shape, size, hemoglobin content, and membrane rigidity.

Conclusions:

• A novel, hematocrit-independent rheological method can effectively detect β-TT and IDA.
• The developed method supports the creation of a point-of-care device for diagnosing red blood cell abnormalities.
• This approach offers a promising tool for clinical follow-up and management of hematological diseases.