Title:Selected inflammatory and haemolytic indicators among adolescents living with sickle cell anaemia in a malaria-endemic population

Author:Euphoria C Akwiwu, Josephine O Akpotuzor, Dorathy C Okpokam, Eme E Onukak, Stanley O Anyanwu and Valerie E Ugochi

Abstract:Objectives: Transition between paediatric and adult care represents a critical period in the management of sickle cell anaemia. Both the sickling condition itself and malaria are associated with inflammation, thus, the need to investigate the impact of malaria infection on neutrophilic response, glutathione and bilirubin levels among adolescents with sickle cell anaemia in a malaria-endemic population.
Methods: This study was carried out among 68 steady-state sickle cell anaemia adolescent attending clinic at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar-Nigeria. The subjects were asymptomatic for malaria. All tests were carried out by standard Methods Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 22.0. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to infer a statistically significant difference.
Results: Leucocyte counts were significantly higher, while neutrophil function rate was lower in sickle cell anaemia subjects compared to control subjects. Bilirubin mean values were also significantly higher while glutathione mean value was lower among subjects living with sickle cell anaemia. These derangements were heightened by malaria infection. Glutathione correlated negatively with total white cell count, neutrophil count and unconjugated bilirubin while a positive relationship was observed between the former and neutrophil function rate.
Conclusion: Asymptomatic malaria infection impacts negatively on immune response among persons living with sickle cell anaemia. This reveals an important intervention target for the transition from paediatric to adult care in the management of sickle cell anaemia in malaria-endemic areas.
Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia, inflammation, leucocytes, haemolysis
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