No 07+08/2008 » Abstract

Whatman 3 MM Dried Blood Spots for Identifying Alpha-Thalassemia-1

by Orathai Tangvarasittichai, Jirapas Jongjitwimol, Surapon Tangvarasittichai

The present study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of whole dried blood spots to identify α-thalassemia-1 by PCR technique. Logistical constraints associated with sample collection and processing make the measurement of α-thalassemia-1 at community laboratories difficult. Dried blood spot samples provide a relatively convenient and minimally invasive means for collecting and transporting samples. We present Whatman 3 MM paper for spotting blood samples used for the first time for α-thalassemia-1 detection. Measurements of fresh EDTA whole blood and Whatman 3 MM dried blood spots prepared from venous blood were performed in 60 subjects. Whatman 3 MM dried blood spots results were precise and reliable. There was no actual difference in comparison to fresh EDTA whole blood samples. Whatman 3 MM dried blood spots for α-thalassemia-1 detection using the PCR technique showed no changes for 6 months.

Clin. Lab. 2008;54(7-8):281-283.

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