An evaluation of the SPIFE 3000 semi-automated gel electrophoresis system for the identification of hemoglobin variants and comparison of relative electrophoretic mobilities with manual gel electrophoresis methods.

Laboratory identification of hemoglobin (Hb) variants can involve multiple techniques. The use of semi-automated instruments that perform gel electrophoresis and staining, such as the SPIFE 3000 electrophoresis system, can greatly reduce the labor required for these commonly used techniques. We performed a comparison of the method involved in SPIFE 3000 system with those of manual gel electrophoresis. A total of 22 540 samples were analyzed using the SPIFE 3000, and compared with mobilities on cellulose acetate and citrate agar gels using standard manual methods. The results were compared using relative electrophoretic mobilities (REM). Of the 191 Hb variants identified, only 13 had REM that differed from manual electrophoresis when analyzed using the SPIFE 3000 system. One variant (Hb O-Indonesia) showed different mobility on both acid and alkaline gels, two (Hb E, Hb Sunshine Seth) on alkaline gel only, and 10 (Hbs N-Baltimore, N-Seattle, O-Arab, Shelby, Summer Hill, Tak, Hasharon, M-Iwate, Q-Iran, and Setif) on acid gels only. The SPIFE 3000 semi-automated electrophoresis system produces similar results when compared with those of standard manual electrophoresis methods.

Comparison of four leukocyte differential methods with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) reference method.

The authors compared four leukocyte differential counting methods with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Reference Leukocyte Differential Method H20-T to determine the clinical sensitivity of the methods. The three-part differential performed by the Coulter Counter Model S-Plus IV and the Toa E-5000, when combined with instrument flags and defined laboratory checking limits for red blood cell and platelet values, are safe and efficacious screening methods for the presence of morphologic abnormalities. The Geometric Data Hematrak 590 proved comparable in clinical sensitivity to a random 100-cell eye-count differential.