The Application of Clinical and Molecular Diagnostic Techniques to Identify a Rare Haemoglobin Variant

Abstract

Haemoglobin disorders represent a heterogeneous group of inherited conditions that involve at least one genetic abnormality in one or more of the globin chains, resulting in changes in the structure, function, and/or amount of haemoglobin molecules, which are very important for their related clinical aspects. Detecting and characterizing these disorders depends primarily on laboratory methods that employ traditional approaches and, when necessary, newer methodologies essential for solving a number of diagnostic challenges. This review provides an overview of key laboratory techniques in the diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies, focusing on the challenges, advancements, and future directions in this field. Moreover, many haemoglobinopathies are benign and clinically silent, but it is not uncommon to find unexpected variants during routine laboratory tests. The present work reported a rare and clinically interesting case of identification of haemoglobin fractions in an adult man by the determination of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) during a routine laboratory assessment, highlighting how the correct use of laboratory data can modify and improve the patient’s clinical management.