F cells, fetal hemoglobin levels, lymphocyte subsets, and frequency of crises in sickle-cell disease in Kuwait.
In vitro, fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) inhibits the aggregation of Hb S, and this may be clinically significant. Alterations in B and T lymphocytes seen in sickle-cell disease may be important in the immune deficit in these patients. We examined 16 patients with repeated crises (6 females and 10 males, age 9.3 +/- 3.4 years) and 15 patients with infrequent crises (9 females and 6 males, age 7.1 +/- 3.8 years) to determine the relationship between F cells, Hb F levels, lymphocyte subsets, and the frequency of crises. The proportion of CD2 and CD3 lymphocytes was significantly lower (P=0.015 and <0.0001, respectively) in both groups of patients than controls. CD4 lymphocytes were significantly lower (P = 0.018) and CD19 significantly higher (P = 0.007) than controls. CD45RO levels in both groups of patients were comparable with matched controls but significantly lower (P = 0.002) than adult values. Hb F levels in patients with and without frequent crises were comparable (P = 0.067). However, F cells in patients with infrequent crises were significantly higher than in patients with frequent crises (P<0.01). Alteration in the lymphocyte subsets did not correlate with the frequency of crisis in these patients.
Kaaba
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Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait. kaaba@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Al Fazaa
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D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin