Clinical evaluation of a rapid screening test for sickle cell trait (S-) and sickle cell anemia (SS)

Abstract

The need for a rapid screening procedure that differentiates both sickle cell trait (S-) and sickle cell anemia (SS) in a single test system has led to the development of a new 10 min screening test. The 'Sickle I.D.' system is based on a modification of the sodium dithionite hemoglobin solubility test. It is composed of three reagents and requires 0.1 ml of whole blood. Two independent blind clinical comparisons of this new procedure with hemoglobin electrophoresis (4328 samples) revealed an accuracy of 99.8% in identification and differentiation of sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia. Together with confirmation of positives by hemoglobin electrophoresis, this new procedure provides rapid and accurate screening for sickle cell trait (S-) and sickle cell anemia (SS).