Variant Haemoglobins - A Guide to Identification isbased on the premise that any single diagnostic technique offersonly a very provisional identification of a variant haemoglobin. Inroutine diagnostic practice two techniques are needed as a minimum,with the results being interpreted in the light of the clinicaldetails, blood count, blood film and ethnic origin. This bookcovers 150 normal and variant haemoglobins that have been studiedand carefully documented.Variant Haemoglobins has four introductory chaptersfollowed by an invaluable atlas. The introductory chapterscover* the genetics of haemoglobin synthesis* the principles of tests employed for identification* common haemoglobins of major clinical or diagnosticimportance* thalassaemias and related conditionsThe atlas section comprises 170 full colour pages in which eachvariant haemoglobin or combination of haemoglobins is illustratedby cellulose acetate electrophoresis at alkaline pH, agarose gelelectrophoresis at acid pH, isoelectric focusing and one or moreHPLC traces. For ease of reference, the atlas pages are arrangedaccording to the retention time of each haemoglobin on HPLC, thisbecoming increasingly the primary technique employed in haemoglobinidentification.Bringing a mix of necessary scientific expertise and clinicalknowledge, each author has more than 30 years experience in thediagnosis of variant haemoglobins.Providing otherwise unavailable information, this unique andpractical guide* is illustrated with over 700 high quality colour digital imagesplus flow charts and line diagrams* covers common and important haemoglobin variants, in additionto many rarer ones* is an essential reference source for diagnosis in thehaematology laboratoryA remarkably useful book, Variant Haemoglobins will bevaluable for haematopathologists, clinical and laboratoryhaematologists in practice and in training and all laboratory staffinvolved in haemoglobinopathy diagnosis.

Preface.1 Globin genes and haemoglobin.2 Diagnostic procedures and principles of commonly usedtests.3 Common haemoglobins of major clinical or diagnosticimportance.4 The thalassaemias and related conditions.Atlas pages.Technical notes to aid in interpretation of the following atlaspages -- Please read first!Table technical notes.Index.