Rr. Surve et al., Detection of the beta(s) gene: an evaluation of the solubility test against automated chromatography and haemoglobin electrophoresis, BR J BIOMED, 57(4), 2000, pp. 292-294
The solubility test is evaluated against automated high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) and haemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis for its efficacy
in screening for the B-S gene in population groups in remote areas. Blood
samples taken from 3246 individuals from the tribal populations of the Dhul
e and Gadchiroli districts of Maharashtra state were analysed by all three
methods. The solubility test detected 871 out of 932 individuals positive f
or the B-S gene by HPLC and Hb electrophoresis, and showed an overall sensi
tivity of 93.8% and specificity of 100%, with a positive predictive value o
f 100% and negative predictive value of 97.4%. Both HPLC and Hb electrophor
esis are relatively expensive and not available in most laboratories in rem
ote tribal areas, where the frequency of the B-S gene is very high. We conc
lude that the solubility test could be used for preliminary screening to de
termine the prevalence of the B-S gene in different population groups, part
icularly in remote areas where other facilities are not available. Individu
als who test positive for the B-S gene by the solubility test require furth
er investigation by either HPLC or Hb electrophoresis.