L16- RBC Pathology II (Sickle Cell Disease) Flashcards
define:
(1) hemoglobinopathies
(2) thalassemia syndromes
1- mutations in gobin genes (hereditary) –> production of defective Hb
2- mutations in globin genes (hereditary) –> dec synthesis of a globin chain of HbA (α/β)
describe the breakdown of Hb in adults, by %
HbA, α2β2, 96%
HbA2, α2δ2, 2%
HbF, α2γ2, 2%
describe the mutation in Sickle Cell
Pt mutation, replacing glutamic acid(+) with a valine(neutral)
-position 6 of β globin gene
=> HbS
Sickle Cell Disease:
- (1) anemia, describe Hb genes and phenotype
- (2) trait, describe Hb genes and phenotype
- (3) why is it prevalent (mainly in Africa)
1- homozygotes, 100% HbS = SS
2- heterozygotes, 40% HbS = AS
3- protective effect against severe malarial infection
describe the pathogenesis of Sickle Cell disease and the effects on RBC life span
- HbS molecules have inc tendency to aggregate and polymerize when deoxygenated
- assembles into long-needle like fibers –> sickle shaped RBCs
- at first its reversible with reoxygenation –> but repeated membrane damage (repeated episodes) –> irreversible sickling
- inc RBC stickiness => prone to small vessel thrombosis
-RBC lifespan, 10-15 days
what are the factors that affect sickling in Sickle Cell Disease (hint- 4)
1- intracellular levels of other Hb, not HbS
2- intracellular concentration of HbS
3- acidity (low pH => inc sickling)
4- length of exposure to low O2 tension
explain how intracellular levels of other Hbs besides HbS affects sickling
- HbA presence in HbAS = dec sickling
- HbF presence afterbirth for 6 mos = dec sickling
- HbC presence in HbSC = inc sicklling
explain how intracellular concentration of HbS affects sickling
- dehydration = inc sickling
- co-existent α-thallassemia –> dec [Hb] = dec sickling
describe the appearance of symptoms in people with HbSA
(sickle cell trait)
- usually asymptomatic
- symptomatic during severe hypoxic states (eg. high altitude)
describe the appearance of symptoms in people with HbSS
(sickle cell disease / anemia)
- asymptomatic for first 6 mos of life (b/c HbF presence)
- acute or chronic Sxs
Sickle Cell Disease clinicopathological features:
-abnormal RBCs undergo (intra-/extra-)vascular hemolysis leading to (2)
-bone marrow will become (3) leading to (4) changes in the bones
1- both intra-/extravascular hemolysis
2- moderate to severe anemia
3- hyperplastic (precursor overdrive)
4- bony skull is expanded to inc bone marrow and RBC production => facial deformities
Sickle Cell Disease clinicopathological features:
- (1) is the first common effect seen in the spleen of children, explain
- (2) is the more advanced effect seen in the spleen in early adulthood, explain
- due to (2), patients are susceptible to (3) infections
-Hb degradation leads to a (4) state in the blood, where (5) is the key risk
1- splenomegaly: due to RBC entrapment in pleen
2- autosplenectomy: erythrostasis –> repeated splenic infarctions / fibrosis
3- encapsulated bacteria, e.g. H. influenza, S. pneumoniae
4- hyperbilirubinemia (+ jaundice)
5- bilirubin gallstones
list the common triggers of sickle cell crisis
- infections
- dehydration
- cold exposure
- hypoxia
- acidosis
list the 4 types of Sickle Cell Crises
1) **vaso-occlusive / painful crisis
2) sequestration crisis
3) aplastic crisis
4) hemolytic crisis
Describe the effects of a Vaso-occlusive crisis in the following organs:
(1) brain
(2) retina
(3) lungs
(4) kidneys
(5) legs
(6) bones
(7) penis
1- stroke
2- proliferative retinopathy
3- acute chest syndrome
4- renal infarctions, papillary necrosis
5- leg ulcers
6- **dactylitis, hand-foot syndrome (very common)
7- priapism, painful with unwanted erections