title: Rapid molecular characterization of Hb Queens and Hb Siam: two variants easily misidentified as sickle Hb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a rapid differential diagnosis of hemoglobin (Hb) Queens and Hb Siam from other clinically relevant variants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Molecular and hematological features associated with two pregnant Thai women who were mistaken for Hb S were investigated. A simultaneous DNA diagnosis based on multiplex allele specific PCR approach was developed and tested with other common variants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apart from mild anemia, the two subjects were generally healthy. DNA analysis identified that they were respectively carriers of Hb Siam [alpha15(A13)Gly-Arg] and Hb Queens [alpha34(B15)Leu-Arg]. A successful application of the multiplex allele specific PCR for differential diagnosis was demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis of these clinically relevant hemoglobinopathies is problematic in the routine setting, and the method developed should prove useful in complementing routine Hb analysis for providing accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic, Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. supan@kku.ac.th
authors.forename: Supan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fucharoen
authors.forename: Sanita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singsanan
authors.forename: Abdulloh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hama
authors.forename: Goonnapa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fucharoen
authors.forename: Kanokwan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanchaisuriya
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000235:genetics; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; C406708:hemoglobin Siam; C035047:hemoglobin Queens