2. Quick Definition
It is a disorder of red blood cell
production that gives red blood cells a
sickle shape during hypoxia
3. Lets go back in time…
James Herrick
Hahn and Gillespie
1927
Genetic Mutation
Inherited, not contagious
4. Sickle Cell Disease
Group of genetic disorders characterized by:
Hemolytic anemia - not enough red blood cells in
the blood
Vasculopathy - disorder of blood vessels
In US, predominantly with African-Americans
(i.e., 1 in 400)
Also occurs in descendents of Mediterranean,
Indian, Asian, and Caribbean cultures
6. SCA: Impact on Red Blood Cells
With low oxygen levels, the shape of red
cells becomes distorted
They appear elongated and sickle
shaped
Red blood cells become very fragile,
short lived, and can clog blood vessels
7. Genetics
Hb-S result from
point mutation
for the sixth
amino acid in the
β-chain result in
substitution of
glutamic acid by
valine.
8.
9. Deoxyhemoglobin S Polymer Structure
A) Deoxyhemoglobin S
14-stranded polymer
(electron micrograph)
D) Charge and size
prevent
6β Glu from binding.
C) Hydrophobic pocket
for 6β Val
B) Paired strands of
deoxyhemoglobin S
(crystal structure)
Dykes, Nature 1978; JMB 1979
Crepeau, PNAS 1981 Wishner, JMB 1975
10.
11.
12. 1. Young RBCs with HbS can
alternate between the
sickled and normal
formation.
2. However, sickling causes
oxidative damage to the
RBCs cell membrane (and
to the cells around it).
3. Eventually, RBCs become
irreversibly sickled.
16. Vaso-occlusive complications
Most frequent
Occur in areas with:
• Prolonged, low oxygen
tension
• Decreased pH
• Inflammation
• Low blood flow
Bones ,lungs, spleen and
the brain commonly
affected.
Source: Robbins
17. Hand-foot syndrome
Painful dactylitis caused by infarcts of the
small bones.
Painful swelling of hands and feet.
Early complication of sickle cell disease.
Digits of varying lengths
Highest incidence 6 months to 2 years.
18.
19. Visceral sequestration crises
These are caused by sickling within organs
The acute sickle chest syndrome is a
feared complication and the most common
cause of death after puberty.
Spleen and liver sequestration may lead to
severe illness
20.
21. Aplastic crises
Paravirus B19
Divides in RBCs precursors and destroys
them
Stops erythropoiesis for two or three
days
Causes reticulocytopenia
Disappears within one week with
management and blood transfusions
A sudden fall in haemoglobin, usually
requiring transfusion.
22. Haemolytic crises
These are characterized by an
increased rate of haemolysis with a
fall in haemoglobin but rise in
reticulocytes and usually accompany a
painful crisis.
23. Medical Complications
1. pain episodes
2. strokes
3. increased infections
4. leg ulcers
5. bone damage
6. yellow eyes or
jaundice
7. early gallstones
8. lung blockage
9. kidney damage and
loss of body water in urine
10. painful erections in men
(priapism)
11. blood blockage in the spleen
or liver (sequestration)
12. eye damage
13. low red blood cell counts
(anemia)
14. delayed growth
24.
25.
26. Lab Findings
CBC:
• Hb, PCV, RBCs count: low
• MCV, MCH, MCHC: normal
• T.WBCs count: increased and
neutrophilia is common.
• PLT count: increased
27. PBP
Sickle cells
Target cells
Polychromatic cells and nucleated
RBCs.
Inclusions: basophilic stippling, Howell-
Jolly bodies and Pappenheimer bodies.
If infection is present a left-shift may
present.
35. Treatment
Blood transfusions:
Acute chest crisis
Decreases the risk for strokes
Defrasirox: iron chelator
Folic acid daily intake
Penicillin
Malaria chemoprophylaxis
36. Hydroxyurea.
Reactivates fetal Hb production
Decreases severity of attacks
Increases life span
More effective with Erythropoietin.
Bone marrow transplant during childhood.
5-HMF. This natural compound binds to red blood
cells and increases their oxygen. This helps prevent
the red blood cells from sickling.
40. What about a future?
Stem Cell research
Gene therapy
41. Sickle cell trait
No anaemia
Normal appearance of red cells on a blood film.
Haematuria is the most common symptom and is
Thought to be caused by minor infarcts of the renal
papillae.
Hb S varies from 25 to 45% of the total
haemoglobin
Care must be taken with anaesthesia, pregnancy
and at high altitudes.
Editor's Notes
Herrick – 1st to see sickle cells
Hahn/Gillespie – 1st to see them in hypoxia