Sickle Cell Disease (complete) Flashcards
Explain the molecular bases for sickle cell disease.
- Both Beta-globin genes are mutated
- At least one w/ Beta6 glu –> val and the other abnormal in the same or different way
- Called sickle disease w/ two glu–> val
What is the mode of inheritance of sickle cell disease?
Autosomal recessive
How does the sickle cell mutation lead to the phenotype?
- HbSS are easily lysed
- Don’t last long
- Normal looking w/ O2
- When O2 is released, create the sickle shape — cells clump together
- Can only last a few cycles (fewer than normal)
Describe the geographic distribution of sickle cell disease
- Most common in African, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean pop’n
- Think: around equator
Describe a situation where people heterozygous for sickle cell disease may have a survival advantage.
Reduced risk of morbidity and mortality of malaria
Describe findings on CBC for pts w/ sickle cell disease
RI: increased
WBC: increased
Platelets: increased
RDW: increased
What are other abnormal chemistry findings in pts w/ sickle cell disease? Why?
Total/indirect bilirubin: increased
LDH: increased
AST: increased
All released from lysed RBCs
Describe findings on peripheral blood smear for pts w/ sickle cell disease
- Sickle forms
- Schistocytes
- Polychromasia
- Anisocytosis
- Poikilocytosis
- Howell-Jolly bodies
What are schistocytes?
“Broken” irregular cells
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistocyte
What is polychromasia?
- Blue-colored cells
- Represent reticulocytes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychromasia
What is anisocytosis?
Variation in RBC size
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisocytosis
What is poikilocytosis?
Variation in RBC shape
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poikilocytosis
What are Howell-Jolly bodies?
Small purple dots w/in RBCs
Seen in pts w/o a functional spleen
What is sickle trait?
Occurs in a person w/ 1 sickle gene and 1 NORMAL gene
What are the consequences of sickle trait?
- Normal gene produces Beta-globin chains in normal quantities
- This protects against development of sickle cell disease
What are the major variants of sickle cell disease?
1) Sickle Cell Anemia
2) Sickle B(0) thalassemia
3) Sickle- Hb C
4) Sickle B(+) thalassemia
5) Sickle Cell Trait
Describe sickle cell anemia. Include Beta-globin gene types, normal Hb amount, normal retic count, size of RBC, clinical severity.
B-globin genes: S+S
Hb count: 6-9 (nl: 14=16g/dl)
Retic count: 5-30% (nl: 1-2%)
RBC size: Normal
Clinical Severity: 4+ (worst)
Describe Sickle B(0) Thalassemia. Include Beta-globin gene types, normal Hb amount, normal retic count, size of RBC, clinical severity.
B-globin genes: S+B(0)
Hb count: 6-9 (nl: 14=16g/dl)
Retic count: 5-30% (nl: 1-2%)
RBC size: Small
Clinical Severity: 4+ (worst)
Describe Sickle Hb C. Include Beta-globin gene types, normal Hb amount, normal retic count, size of RBC, clinical severity.
B-globin genes: S+C
Hb count: 10-12 (nl: 14=16g/dl)
Retic count: 3-5% (nl: 1-2%)
RBC size: Normal
Clinical Severity: 2+ (mid)
Describe Sickle B(+) Thalassemia. Include Beta-globin gene types, normal Hb amount, normal retic count, size of RBC, clinical severity.
B-globin genes: S+B(+)
Hb count: 11-13 (nl: 14=16g/dl)
Retic count: 3-5% (nl: 1-2%)
RBC size: Small
Clinical Severity: 2+ (mid)