Complete deletion
of all four alpha-globin genes results in severe anaemia in utero and a
condition known as Hb Barts hydrops foetalis. Definition of alpha
globin genotypes in potential carriers is useful to predict prognosis
and management options, due to the strong correlation of phenotype
and genotype in Hb H disease patients [4–7]. For identification of
nondeletion variants in alpha globin gene, Sanger sequencing is the reference
method. However, in routine laboratories, the detection of
known thalassaemiamutations and globin chain variants in populations
with specificmutation spectrums is mainly performed using traditional
well-established methods such as restriction enzyme analysis of PCR
amplicons (RE-PCR), allele-specific amplification using the amplification
refractorymutation system (ARMS), allele-specificmutation detection
of amplified DNA based on hybridization of PCR products to allelespecific
oligonucleotide probes (ASO) in either forward or reverse ASO
approach [8]. More recently, pyrosequencing, involving sequencing by
synthesis [9] and high resolution melting analysis without the need
for post-PCR sample manipulation [10], have been proposed for the
rapid genotyping or screening of “nondeletion” HBA mutations.