Objective: To develop and apply the polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers (PCRCTPP)
for detection and identification of hemoglobin E (Hb E).

Material and Method: Fifty unrelated northern Thais were included in the present study. DNA was extracted
from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and targeted to amplify by PCR-CTPP. The amplified product was
analyzed and compared with the reference hemoglobin electrophoresis and polymerase chain reactionrestriction
fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Results: The results validated a completely concordant among these three methods consisting of 74%, 24%,
and 2% identified as normal, heterozygous, and homozygous Hb E type, respectively.

Conclusion: Successful Hb E genotyping by PCR-CTPP was introduced. It allows for confirming and simultaneously
detection with other thalassemia mutations.

Keywords: Hemoglobinopathy, Hemoglobin E, Beta-thalassemia, Polymerase chain reaction with confronting
two-pair primers