Abstract: Objective　To compare the results′consistency of agarose gel electrophoresis and cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis in the detection of hemoglobin.  Methods　By Sebia Hydrasys LC automated agarose gel electrophoresis and cellulose acetate membrance electrophoresis，the hemoglobin levels of 4 126 patients with Mediterranean anaemia were detected（pH value ＝8.6）. The HbA₂，HbH，and HbBart′s contents were determined by spectrophotometry. The HbF content was determined by alkaline denaturation test. The results of the 2 methods were compared. The cases with different results by the 2 methods were confirmed by genetic analysis.  Results　A total of 4 126 cases by agarose gel electrophoresis had 686 cases of beta-Mediterranean anaemia （HbA₂ and/or HbF increasing）and 321 cases of alpha-Mediterranean anaemia（HbA₂ decreasing）. Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis had 683 cases of beta-Mediterranean anaemia and 323 cases of alpha-Mediterranean anaemia. Basically，the results were consistent forHbA₂ and HbF by the 2 methods. Agarose gel electrophoresis detected 103 cases of HbH，71 cases of HbBart′s and 63 cases of HbCS. Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis detected 141 cases of HbH，101 cases of HbBart′s and 65 cases of HbCS. After being confirmed by genetic analysis，agarose gel electrophoresis missed 38 cases of HbH，30 cases of HbBart′s and 2 cases of HbCS.  Conclusions　Agarose gel electrophoresis can accurately detect HbA2 and HbF，and it has deficiencies for HbH and HbBart′s. While HbA₂ decreasing，isopropyl alcohol-test positive and erythrocyte fragility test （one tube method） positive，cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis should be used to the quantitive determination of HbH and HbBart′s. Electrophoresis can be used in the screening and general investigation of Mediterranean anaemina，and genetic analysis should be used in clinical confirmation and antepartum diagnosis.

Key words: Hemoglobin, Agarose gel electrophoresis, Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, Mediterranean anaemia