Determining the etiology of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), delta-beta thalassemia, or other large deletions involving the beta-globin gene cluster
Diagnosing less common causes of beta-thalassemia; these large deletional beta-thalassemia alterations result in elevated hemoglobin (Hb) A2 and can have slightly elevated Hb F levels
Distinguishing homozygous Hb S disease from a compound heterozygous Hb S/large beta-globin cluster deletion disorder (ie, Hb S/beta zero thalassemia, Hb S/delta beta zero thalassemia, Hb S/HPFH, Hb S/gamma-delta-beta-thalassemia)
Diagnosing complex thalassemias where the beta-globin gene and 1 or more of the other genes in the beta-globin cluster have been deleted
Evaluating and classifying unexplained increased Hb F percentages
Evaluating microcytic neonatal anemia
Evaluating unexplained long standing microcytosis in the setting of normal iron studies and negative alpha thalassemia testing/normal Hb A2 percentages
Confirming gene fusion hemoglobin variants such as Hb Lepore and Hb P-Nilotic
Confirming homozygosity versus hemizygosity of alterations in the beta-like genes (HBB, HBD, HBG1, HBG2)
Investigating newborns with Hb A levels greater than Hb F on newborn screen in the absence of transfusion.
This test is not useful for diagnosis or confirmation of alpha thalassemia, the most common beta thalassemias, or hemoglobin variants. It also does not detect non-deletional HPFH.
This test is recommended to identify a variety of conditions involving large deletions or duplications within the beta-globin gene cluster locus region, including:
-Identifying large deletions causing increased hemoglobin (Hb) F levels, such as hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin, delta-beta thalassemias, and gamma-delta-beta thalassemia
-Identifying large deletions associated with elevated Hb A2, such as beta-thalassemia (or rarely epsilon gamma thalassemia) in cases where beta gene sequencing did not find a beta thalassemia variant
-Confirming gene fusion hemoglobin variants such as Hb Lepore and Hb P-Nilotic
-Investigating newborns and adults with unexplained microcytic anemia that is suspected to be caused by epsilon-gamma-delta-beta thalassemia
-Confirming homozygosity vs hemizygosity of genetic variants in the beta-like genes (HBB, HBD, HBG1, HBG2)
-Investigating individuals older than 12 months of age with unexplained microcytosis and normal hemoglobin electrophoresis for whom more common causes of microcytosis, such as iron deficiency and alpha-thalassemia have been excluded
-Investigating newborns with Hb A levels greater than Hb F on newborn screen in the absence of transfusion
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Analysis/Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)
Beta cluster del/dup
Beta globin cluster locus deletion/duplication
Beta globin complex deletions
Beta globin deletion
Beta thalassemia deletion
BGLOB
MLPA beta globin cluster locus
Whole Blood EDTA
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
2 mL
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated |
Determining the etiology of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), delta-beta thalassemia, or other large deletions involving the beta-globin gene cluster
Diagnosing less common causes of beta-thalassemia; these large deletional beta-thalassemia alterations result in elevated hemoglobin (Hb) A2 and can have slightly elevated Hb F levels
Distinguishing homozygous Hb S disease from a compound heterozygous Hb S/large beta-globin cluster deletion disorder (ie, Hb S/beta zero thalassemia, Hb S/delta beta zero thalassemia, Hb S/HPFH, Hb S/gamma-delta-beta-thalassemia)
Diagnosing complex thalassemias where the beta-globin gene and 1 or more of the other genes in the beta-globin cluster have been deleted
Evaluating and classifying unexplained increased Hb F percentages
Evaluating microcytic neonatal anemia
Evaluating unexplained long standing microcytosis in the setting of normal iron studies and negative alpha thalassemia testing/normal Hb A2 percentages
Confirming gene fusion hemoglobin variants such as Hb Lepore and Hb P-Nilotic
Confirming homozygosity versus hemizygosity of alterations in the beta-like genes (HBB, HBD, HBG1, HBG2)
Investigating newborns with Hb A levels greater than Hb F on newborn screen in the absence of transfusion.
This test is not useful for diagnosis or confirmation of alpha thalassemia, the most common beta thalassemias, or hemoglobin variants. It also does not detect non-deletional HPFH.
Large deletions involving the beta-globin cluster locus on chromosome 11 manifest with widely variable clinical phenotypes. Up to 10% of beta thalassemia cases (dependent on ethnicity) are caused by large deletions in the beta-globin cluster. Other thalassemias, including delta-beta thalassemia, gamma-delta-beta thalassemia, epsilon gamma thalassemia, and epsilon-gamma-delta-beta thalassemia, also result from functional loss of genes or the locus control region that controls globin gene expression. In addition, hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) is caused by deletions of variable size along the beta-globin cluster locus. Most, but not all, of the large deletion beta-globin cluster disorders are associated with variably elevated hemoglobin (Hb) F percentages that persist after 2 years of age. In addition, many manifest in microcytosis. A notable exception is HPFH, which can have normal to minimal decreased mean corpuscular volume values. The correct classification of these deletions is important as they confer variable predicted protective phenotypes, and some are more protective than others when found in combination with a second beta-globin variant, such as Hb S or beta-thalassemia. In addition, identification of these deletions can explain lifelong microcytosis in the setting of normal iron studies and negative alpha thalassemia molecular results.
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-HAEV1 / Hemolytic Anemia Evaluation, Blood
-HBEL1 / Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Evaluation, Blood
-MEV1 / Methemoglobinemia Evaluation, Blood
-REVE2 / Erythrocytosis Evaluation, Blood
-THEV1 / Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation, Blood and Serum
An interpretive report will be provided.
The alterations will be provided with the classification that fits the probe pattern, if known. Further interpretation requires correlation with protein studies and red blood cell indices.
Non-deletional subtypes of beta thalassemia or hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin are not detected by this assay.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis and sequencing analysis of the beta-globin gene will be performed prior to this test to exclude other diagnoses or to indicate the diagnostic utility of this testing platform.
In addition to disease-related probes, the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification technique utilizes probes localized to other chromosomal regions as internal controls. In certain circumstances, these control probes may detect other diseases or conditions for which this test was not specifically intended. Results of the control probes are not normally reported. However, in cases where clinically relevant information is identified, the ordering physician will be informed of the result and provided with recommendations for any appropriate follow-up testing.
1. Hein MS, Oliveira JL, Swanson KC, et al. Large deletions involving the beta globin gene complex: genotype-phenotype correlation of 119 cases. Blood. 2015;126(23):3374
2. Kipp BR, Roellinger SE, Lundquist PA, Highsmith WE, Dawson DB. Development and clinical implementation of a combination deletion PCR and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay for detecting deletions involving the human alpha-globin gene cluster. J Mol Diagn. 2011;13(5):549-557. doi:10.1016/j.jmoldx.2011.04.001
3. Rund D, Rachmilewitz E. Beta-thalassemia. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(11):1135-1146
4. Nussbaum R, McInnes R, Willard H. Principles of molecular disease: Lessons from the hemoglobinopathies. In: Thompson and Thompson Genetics in Medicine. 7th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007:323-342
5. Wood WG. Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin and delta beta thalassemia. In: Steinberg MH, Forget BG, Higgs DR, Nagel RL, eds. Disorders of Hemoglobin: Genetics, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management. Cambridge University Press, 2001;356-388
6. Oliveira JL, Thompson CH, Saravanaperumal SA, et al. eg-Thalassemia, a new hemoglobinopathy category. Clin Chem. 2023;69(7):711-717. doi:10.1093/clinchem/hvad038
Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification is utilized to test for the presence of large deletions or duplications in the beta-globin cluster region.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Wednesday, Friday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
81363-HBB (hemoglobin, beta, beta-globin) (eg, beta thalassemia), duplication/deletion analysis
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
WBGDR | Beta Globin Gene Cluster, Del/Dup,B | 101634-4 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
620977 | Beta Globin Gene Cluster Del/Dup | 101634-4 |
620978 | Reviewed by | 18771-6 |
620976 | Interpretation | 69047-9 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
New Test | 2024-12-19 |