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Türkiye: Effective Premarital Screening for Beta Thalassemia
Prof. Dr. Duran Canatan, Pediatric Hematologist and Geneticist, Antalya Bilim University, Antalya, Türkiye presented the results of a comparison study of Gazelle versus HPLC to evaluate Gazelle as a premarital screening tool for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). These hemoglobinopathies are serious health problems in Türkiye, and previous research has shown that a significant reduction in affected births can be achieved through premarital screening.1 Dr. Canatan and researchers at Antalya Bilim University sought to identify an affordable POC replacement for the central laboratory tests typically used for the screening.
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"To ensure continued progress on our goal of lowering impacted births, ongoing education and screening must be prioritized among Turkish citizens, as well as newer immigrants and refugees, particularly in areas where centralized testing is not available,” said Prof. Canatan. “In our efforts to expand premarital screening for beta thalassemia, we found that Gazelle is a highly effective replacement for HPLC. Not only is the Gazelle test as effective in identifying and quantifying hemoglobin variants, but it also offers additional advantages, such as affordability, fast turnaround time, and digital capabilities. Importantly, Gazelle is the only test that can identify beta thalassemia at the point of care [based on detection of Hb variants].”
Ghana: Accurate Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease
The second study, headed by Dr. Catherine I. Segbefia, MD, Department of Child Health, University of Ghana Medical School and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, was focused on newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Ghana.
Based on the results of this study of 379 newborns screened at Korle Bu Hospital in Accra, Ghana, the study concluded that Gazelle yielded equivalent diagnostic accuracy for all Hb variants compared to standard laboratory tests (HPLC).
"Gazelle is revolutionizing how we think about testing for sickle cell disease,” said Dr. Segbefia. “Its ability to quantify the Hb variants is what gives it the edge among all available SCD point-of- care tests on the market."
Sickle cell is a significant health issue in Ghana, and at least 2% of all newborns are affected by the disease.2 However, access to testing and care facilities are limited, especially for families in rural areas.
"Reflecting on the promising results from both Türkiye and Ghana presented at ASCAT, it’s clear that the Gazelle device is transforming the landscape of hemoglobinopathy screening,” said Patti White, CEO of Hemex Health. “These studies highlight Gazelle’s potential to provide convenient, affordable, and accurate screening for hemoglobin variants in diverse settings.
“We are excited to continue to grow our reach and impact, partnering with health organizations worldwide to enhance diagnostic accessibility. Together, we can create a healthier future for communities around the globe," said Ms. White.
