Methods and results: Themethod comprises (i) PCR amplification of a single 1087 bp fragment for each HBA1 and
HBA2 gene (separately); (ii)multiplex primer extension reaction of just 10 cycles, using unpurified amplification
product as a template, to incorporate biotin into those allele-specific primers that extend and, finally, (iii) visual
detection of the reaction products within minutes by the dipstick biosensor. The method was evaluated by
analysing 105 samples of known genotypes and the results were found fully concordant with those obtained
by the reference methods.