A simple non radioactive method for detecting beta-thalassemia/hbe disease: application to prenatal diagnosis

We have developed allele specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) that allows rapid screening of the beta E-globin and common beta-thalassemia genes in Thailand. These non-radioactive methods are based on the amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of the beta E and beta-thalassemia specific DNA fragments using specific primers. With this approach, both heterozygote and homozygote for the disease could readily be identified on agarose gel electrophoresis of the amplified DNA. We have applied the method for a prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia/HbE disease in a Thai family at the second trimester of pregnancy. The result obtained was comparable to that of conventional dot blot hybridization using radioactive probes. The simplicity, accuracy and non isotopic of the approach make it a highly promising method for a carrier screening and a prenatal diagnosis of this common disorder.