Haemoglobinopathy questions

Having reviewed the section on HPLC - here are some practice questions from a sample run. You may find these either in the viva or in the morphology section of the exam. Please download the PDF and answer the questions below on the samples:

1. (13H347233)

What are the possible diagnoses?

Why is HbA2 elevated?

2. (13H348497)

What is the diagnosis - and how do you explain the relative percentages of the peaks (ie. not being 50:50?)

What are the small peaks at elution times 4.49min and 4.87min?

3. (13H348577)

What is the diagnosis?

How would you account for the v small peak at 5min?

4. (13H352029)

What are the possible diagnoses? And what is the explanation for the elevated HbA2?

5. (13H352173)

What is the diagnosis?

6. (14H000635)

What is the diagnosis?

7. (14H003217)

What is the diagnosis? Suggest some differentials for this HPLC plot.

8. (14H004915)

What are the possible diagnoses?

9. (14H006265)

What is the diagnosis?

10. (14H007587)

What is the diagnosis? How do you explain the relative percentages of the main haemoglobins demonstrated?

11. (14H008352)

What is the diagnosis? What is the very first peak?

12. (14H008072)

What is the diagnosis?

13. (14H006995)

What is the diagnosis?

Once you have completed the first 13 questions proceed onto 'Chromatograms2' for Questions 14-21. Simply identify the diagnosis and any differentials - these will have gels run so try to do these as well in conjunction with the HPLC plots.

For question 22, please see Chromatograms3:

22. (16U221702)

This otherwise well lady came in with oxygen saturations of 70% on air, with Hb 142. What is the diagnosis? (Please see 'Chromatograms3' for the HPLC plot).

Please review the answers on this page.