A rapid method for the quantitation of haemoglobin A2.

A rapid accurate and inexpensive technique for the measurement of haemoglobin A2 has been devised. It uses a small plastic device which embodies a miniature chromatographic column and reservoirs for the eluting buffer and eluates. The device is charged with whole blood, pH 8.25 buffer and centrifuged. The eluate is removed and the centrifugation repeated using pH 7.0 buffer to remove the remaining haemoglobin. The haemoglobin concentration in the 2 volumes of eluates is measured in a spectrophotometer at 414 nm and the percentage of HbA2 calculated. Results are similar to those obtained by standard methods.