Sickle-cell disease is a collective term for disorders resulting from the presence of sickle haemoglobin. Sickle trait, heterozygous state for sickle haemoglobin is relatively benign however laboratories are increasingly requested to carry out tests to detect the presence of sickle haemoglobin (HbS) on immigrant patients, particularly before any form of surgery. Sickle-cell thalassaemia and sickle-cell haemoglobin C disease have an intermediate severity. Sickle-cell anaemia, the homozygous state for sickle haemoglobin, varies in its severity according to its geographical location and is commonly associated with childhood death.

When used by the recommended techniques, the screening test will turn the blood specimen turbid if sickle haemoglobin (HbS) is present. If the specimen remains transparent then there is no HbS present. The confirmation technique will differentiate between sickle-cell anaemia and sickle-cell trait

Lorne Sickle-Check is based on the relative insolubility of reduced sickle haemoglobin in a high molarity phosphate buffer. HbS Phosphate Buffer contains saponin as a haemolytic agent and Sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4) is used as a reducing agent