Laboratory diagnosis of HB CC-alpha-thalassemia

Routine laboratory investigations of hemoglobinopathies include Hb electrophoresis for abnormal hemoglobins, determination of Hb A2 (alpha 2 delta 2) for beta-thalassemia traits, staining for Hb H (beta 4) inclusions for alpha-thalassemia traits and estimation of Hb F (alpha 2 lambda 2) for the presence of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin genes (HPFH). Frequently, analytical column chromatography and alpha/beta hemoglobin chain synthesis are used in the studies of more complicated hemoglobinopathies. This communication outlines the procedures used in this laboratory for the diagnosis of a case of Hb CC-alpha-thalassemia.