OBJECTIVETo establish a comprehensive and simple assay using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for the diagnosis of most common mutations and deletions of α-thalassemia gene in Southeast Asians and Southern Chinese.

METHODSThis assay has included a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DHPLC analysis. An improved PCR was also performed followed by DHPLC analysis. With this assay, a blinded study of 160 samples was screened for three common mutations and three common deletions.

RESULTSThe duplex PCR-DHPLC combined with the improved PCR-DHPLC analysis has detected all mutations and the wild-type allele. The results were consistent with those by the original methods.

CONCLUSIONThis molecular assay may be used for the diagnosis of α-thalassemia patients from this geographical region. The method is accurate, rapid, semi-automatic and cost-effective, which makes it suitable for large-scale screening.