ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Immuno-haematological characteristics of nigerian sickle cell disease patients in asymptomatic steady state
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1
Department of Haematology &
Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo
University Teaching Hospitals Complex,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria
2
Department of Orthopaedics &
Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University
Teaching Hospitals Complex,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Online publication date: 2009-07-15
Publication date: 2009-07-15
Corresponding author
Salawu L.
Senior Lecturer and Consultant Haematologist
Department of Haematology and
Blood Transfusion
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching
Hospitals Complex,
Ile-Ife, Nigeria
GSM: +234 8033884177
Fax: +234 036 230141
Eur J Gen Med 2009;6(3):170-174
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate some immuno-haematological
characteristics of Nigerian sickle cell disease (SCD)
patients in asymptomatic steady state.
Material and Methods: Thirty asymptomatic SCD patients and
30 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched non-sickle cell disease
individuals were investigated. The packed cell volume, white
blood cells and differentials, and platelet counts were done on
automated blood cells counter, while the ESR was determined by
Westergren’s technique. C3 activator, C1-INH, IgA, IgG and IgM
were estimated by the single radial immuno-diffusion method.
Results: The SCD patients had elevated ESR and a significantly
higher total leukocyte count compared to the controls (t= 5.22,
p= 0.000). A positive correlation was found between ESR and C3
activator (r= +0.449, p= 0.047), and between ESR and serum IgM
levels (r= +0.531, p= 0.016). Serum levels of IgA and C3 activator
were significantly higher in SCD subjects (IgA: t= 2.47, p= 0.019;
C3 activator: t= 2.79, p= 0.009), while the levels of C1-INH and
IgM, though higher in SCD subjects, were not significant.
Conclusions: It could be concluded from this study that immune
dysfunction are evident in Nigerian SCD patients.