HemoTypeSC point-of-care testing shows high sensitivity and specificity with alkaline cellulose acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis for screening hemoglobin SS and SC genotypes

Abstract Introduction By providing timely actionable results for prompt management, point-of-care testing (POCT) kits has revolutionised medical care for various diseases, ranging from infectious diseases like malaria to genetic disorders, such as sickle cell disease (SCD). They are, however, underutilized in the diagnosis of SCD in developing countries, where the need is greatest. Objective The study was aimed at assessing the sensitivity of HemoTypeSC POCT among a cohort of children with SCD, previously diagnosed by Alkaline cellulose acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis (ACAE), with or without high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which the HemoTypeSC test was conducted on all participants and its sensitivity was determined by comparing results with those obtained using ACAE, with any discordance being verified with the HPLC. Results One hundred and forty-five children aged one to 19 years were studied. There were 84 males and 61 females (male: female ratio = 1.4: 1). The HemoTypeSC was able to correctly diagnose sickle cell anemia (SCA) and hemoglobin SC in all (100%) of the children tested. Conclusion The HemoTypeSC shows high sensitivity in detecting SCA and hemoglobin SC. Hence, it is useful for targeted screening of individuals suspected of having SCD, leading to the rapid diagnosis of these hemoglobinopathies, even in resource-constrained settings.