Ravindra Singh

DMT 3107 Haematology

Sickle Cell Test (Hooks Method)

Title: Determination of the presence of Sickle Cell

Aim: To determine whether Sickle Cell is present in a given blood sample
Principle:
One drop of blood is placed on a slide. The slide is then sealed with Vaseline and a cover glass
preventing exposure to oxygen. This is left in a Petri dish with a piece of moist gauze/filter paper
for 24 hours which is then viewed under the microscope.
Procedure: As per lab handout
Method/Equipment: As per lab handout
Discussion:
Clinical Significance:
A sickle cell test is a simple blood test used to determine whether or not you have sickle cell
disease or sickle cell trait. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell
disorders. People who have this disease have red blood cells that are shaped abnormally. Instead
of looking like doughnuts, which normal red blood cells do, they are shaped like a crescent
moon, or a C-shaped farm tool known as a sickle.
Sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait are caused by hemoglobin S, which is an abnormal
hemoglobin. In the presence of hemoglobin S, the red cells take on a sickle-like shape when
oxygen supply is decreased. This is because the molecules of this abnormal hemoglobin combine
together and precipitates changing the erythrocyte shape.

The cells often become hard and sticky, which can increase the risk of blood clots. They also
tend to die off early, and this causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
People with sickle cell trait are genetic "carriers" of sickle cell disease. They have no symptoms
of sickle cell disease and cannot develop the disease, but they may be able to pass it on to their
children. Those with the trait may have a higher risk of some other complications, including
unexpected exercise-related death.
This test is part of the routine screenings performed after a baby is born, but it may also be used
on older children and adults when needed.

Ravindra Singh

DMT 3107 Haematology

Sickle Cell Test (Hooks Method)

Sources of Error:
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5

Formation of air bubbles. Cover slit wasnt placed gently onto sample.
Avoid contamination of high-dry objective (x 40) with petroleum jelly this may
obscure reading and invalidate the result.
Do not use contaminated sodium metabisulfite- test would be invalid. (Reagent is
usually stable for 8 hours after preparation).
Use equal drops of whole blood and reagent result can either be false positive or false
negative depending on the proportion of blood to reagent used or vice versa.
Cover slips should be scrupulously clean or result would be invalidated.

Results:
The red cells remained round hence, the results were negative
Conclusion:
The Sickle cell test was carried out using Hooks method and it can be concluded from the given
sample that the results were negative, hence Sickle cell was not present.

Ravindra Singh

DMT 3107 Haematology

Sickle Cell Test (Hooks Method)

References:
1. Labtestsonline.org. Sickle Cell Tests: The Test. 2015. Available at:
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/sickle/tab/test/. Accessed
November 22, 2015.
2. Mayoclinic.org. Sickle cell anemia Tests and diagnosis - Mayo Clinic. 2015.
Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cellanemia/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20019348. Accessed November 22, 2015.