Sickling tests. Pitfalls in performance and interpretation

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Abstract
Sickling tests may be unreliable when the blood Sample for testing is drawn within 4 months after transfusion; the sample is stored too long, is exposed to heat or bacterial contamination or is allowed to dry during testing; the Na metabisulfite reagent for demonstrating sickling is not freshly made or is used in a concentration exceeding 2%; polkllocytosis is confused with sickling; or the patient is in the neonatal period (unless special precautions are taken). The diagnosis of sickle cell disease cannot be established by means of the sickling test alone, but must be substantiated by electrophoretic and genetic data.