Neutrophil phagocytic activity in SCA subjects

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Subjects with SCA are highly susceptible to life-threatening infections. The exact mechanism of immunodeficiency in this condition remains uncertain as different researchers have varying findings in their respective immunological studies. This study is aimed to comparatively determine the phagocytic competence of neutrophils of sickle cell subjects and immunological response in blood transfusion. Methods This study was carried out on 100 subjects in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria, comprising 41 SCA subjects and 59 subjects that were used as controls after confirming their Hb electrophoresis as “AA” in the laboratory. These subjects were within the ages of 2-25 years. The blood samples were analyzed for neutrophils, and some blood count parameters using standard methods and P < .05 were used to determine the level of confidence. Results Neutrophil function activity of SCA subjects was observed to be reduced significantly (P < .05) compared with the control subjects. The total white cell, packed cell volume, and relative differential counts were elevated significantly (P < .05) when compared with the control subjects except for lymphocytes, which was significantly reduced in SCA patients. Neutrophil function activity was significantly lower in the symptomatic subjects. Those transfused with blood revealed significantly higher total white cell and eosinophil counts, whereas their lymphocyte and monocyte counts significantly reduced. Conclusion This work has shown that SCA subjects have impaired neutrophil function activity as well as depressed immune cells as reflected in the blood count.