Beta- Thalassaemia Trait Screening Using Capillary Electrophoresis Among Voluntary Blood Donor in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Beta-thalassaemia(â-thalassaemia) carriers exists in malaria endemic zones of sub-Sahara Africa including Nigeria. Studies on â-thalassaemia in Nigeria are few in the literature. The high variation in the prevalence of â-thalassaemia in Nigeria as reported in previous studies raises concern. Newer screening techniques such as capillary electrophoresis is now being used in clinical laboratories. This study screened for â-Thalassaemia carriers among voluntary blood donors using capillary electrophoresis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 voluntary blood donors among students of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria with age range of 18-34years. The participants consist of 55 males (55%) and 45 females (45%). Capillary electrophoresis using the Minicap system was used for determining the Haemoglobin A2 and F quantification in alkaline buffer (PH 9.4). Data analysis was done using SPSS and p-value<0.05 was taken as the level of significance The mean age of the participants was 22.23 ± 3.3 SD years(mean age of males 23±3.3 and females 20±2.8) The mean HbA2 among the participants was 3.49± 0.9SD (Range 0.8-5.30%). The mean HbF was 1.43± 0.57SD (Range 0.80-2.50%). Three (3/100) of the subjects had both elevated HbA2 > 3.9% and HbF >1%, giving a prevalence of 3% for â thalassaemia >1%, giving a prevalence of 3% for â thalassaemia carriers among blood donors in this study. The prevalence of â thalassaemia carrier was 3% in our study and found among female folks. Data from this study will be useful in raising awareness and genetic counseling especially among female blood donors.