Aim: To evaluate erythrocyte surface electric charge in β-thalassemia by using Alcian Blue dye binding. Objective: Estimate the binding of AB dye to Sialic acid on the surface of thalassemia and normal, healthy erythrocytes. Compare negative charge due to Sialic acid on the surface of erythrocyte of thalassemia with healthy control subjects. Result: The study was performed on 60 thalassemia subjects (39 male, 21 female, mean age 8.3years) and 30 age and sex matched normal control subjects (17

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... le, 13 female, mean age 6.8years). Hematological parameters analyzed on beta thalassemia subjects' shows significant difference among control and Thalassemia group. Levels of HbA2 showed a marginal difference (p=0.041). Cationic dye, Alcian Blue, in PBS (pH7.4) was used as a reagent to demonstrate binding of the dye to Sialic acid. Results of dye bound to thalassemic erythrocytes was significantly less (p<0.05) as compared to binding on erythrocytes of the control group. Conclusion: We believe, our data support the perception that there is decreased negative charge on the erythrocyte membrane in thalassemia reflected by cationic Alcian Blue dye binding.