Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Red blood cells from donors with sickle cell trait: a safety issue for transfusion?
1EFS-Martinique, Hôpital P. Zobda Quitman, CHU FDF, Fort de France Cedex. karim.ouldamar@efs.sante.fr
Abstract:
Sickle cell trait (SCT) affects approximately 8% of the population in Martinique (FWI) and about the same rate is found among the African Americans. In several regions of tropical Africa, up to 40% of individuals are also affected. SCT has been characterized as a benign condition and patients are currently asymptomatic or run a benign course. However, life-threatening complications may occur. SCT can be detected in patients hospitalized for various complaints, and SCT likely causes serious morbidity and mortality in some people. Moreover, these clinical observations have been supported by several in vitro studies in which haemoglobin AS red cells showed abnormalities of their filterability. These problems are revisited with the implementation of universal leucoreduction in several countries. The question of the screening of all blood donors for SCT and the use of their red blood cells (RBCs) has yet to be resolved.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...
Rh Blood Group
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Blood Typing
Antigens are protein molecules that reside on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The ABO and Rh blood typing systems target antigens A,...
