Haemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and malaria.

The Packed Cell Volume (PCV), reticulocyte count and Hb A2 were determined in 28 patients during the period of malaria parasitaemia and 14 days after effective treatment. The Hb A2 was determined by cellulose acetate haemoglobin electrophoresis in alkaline medium followed by elution in water. There was no statistically significant difference between the PCV during the period of parasitaemia and that after treatment (p > 0.05). The Hb A2 level did not show any significant difference during and after treatment of malaria (p = 0.05). The correlation coefficient between absolute parasite count and Hb A2 level was -0.22 (p = 0.251). It is concluded that malaria parasitaemia does not induce a significant change in the level of Hb A2.