Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and High-Resolution Melting Analysis for Identification of a Couple At-Risk of Having a Newborn with Severe Thalassemia

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Many polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques have been used for routine diagnosis of α- and β-thalassemias. However, most require a multi step of post-PCR processes that are time-consuming and labor-intensive procedures. This study reported the successful use of multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for diagnosis of two common deletional α0-thalassemia (α0-thal) and 15 common β-thalassemia (β-thal) mutations, in order to identify a couple at-risk of having a newborn with severe thalassemia in the northern region of Thailand. With this approach, 22 (7.2%) of 306 couples were diagnosed as being at-risk for having a child with severe thalassemia, including three homozygous α0-thal, five homozygous β-thal and 14 Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A)/β0-thal disease. Our findings indicated that multiplex qPCR with HRM is applicable for routine molecular diagnosis in order to identify a couple at-risk of having a newborn with severe thalassemia, especially in an endemic region.