title: Accuracy of immunochromatographic strip test in diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia-1 carrier.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the accuracy of alpha-thal immunochromatographic (IC) strip in diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia 1 carrier among pregnant women, using PCR for alpha-thalassemia 1 (SEA type) as a gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  Asymptomatic pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic were recruited Their blood samples were taken for IC Strip Test (alpha Thal IC strip, i+Med Laboratories Company Limited) in predicting alpha-thalassemia 1 carrier and separately sent for PCR for diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia 1 carrier as a gold standard
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred ninety nine pregnant women were recruited into the present study at various gestational weeks. The accuracy of alpha-Thal IC strip test was relatively high as shown in Table 1. Of them, 62 cases were proven to be alpha-thalassemia 1 trait and all ofthem had the results of positive IC strip, giving a sensitivity of 100%. However 45 pregnant women of non-alpha-thalassemia 1 trait had positive test, giving a specificity of 89%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study was solid evidence for clinical application of alpha-thal IC strip in screening program of thalassemia to reduce the need for PCR in diagnosis of a-thalassemia 1 carrier because of its very high sensitivity. The negative test reassures the non alpha-thalassemia 1 carrier status. Moreover, due to its simplicity, convenience to use, low cost, less-time consuming, clear interpretation and no need for either equipment or expensive laboratories, it may probably be very helpful in a massive screening program.
authors.affiliation: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. cwanapir@med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: Chanane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanapirak
authors.forename: Wirawit
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Piyamongkol
authors.forename: Supatra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirichotiyakul
authors.forename: Chatchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tayapiwatana
authors.forename: Watchara
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kasinrerk
authors.forename: Theera
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tongsong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011934:Reagent Strips