Evaluation of a capillary electrophoresis method for routine determination of hemoglobins A2 and F

Hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and hemoglobin F (Hb F) are important analytes in the diagnosis and follow up of Hb diseases. We evaluated a new capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) kit for Hb A2 and Hb F measurements. The imprecision ranged from 3% to 6% for Hb A2 and Hb F at physiological and pathological concentrations. The method compared well with cation-exchange HPLC for Hb A2 and Hb F and with anion-exchange chromatography in microcolumns (MAEC), for Hb A2. Nevertheless, higher results were obtained [Hb A2 CZE (%) = 1.233 Hb A2 HPLC - 0.2; Hb A2 CZE (%) = 1.190 Hb A2 MAEC + 0.1; Hb FCZE (%) = 1.118 Hb FHPLC + 0.4], and new reference values had to be determined (Hb A2 2.7-3.8%; Hb F <1.2%). Quantification of Hb A2 was not influenced by Hb S. Measurement of Hb F was accurate and precise except at low concentrations in Hb AS patients. This new CZE kit is rapid, precise, and reliable, and seems appropriate for use in clinical laboratories.