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Related Concept Videos

Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Stages of Infection01:26

Stages of Infection

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...

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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Infections in sickle cell disease.

M A El-Hazmi1

  • 1Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, and King Khalid Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Annals of Saudi Medicine
|December 18, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Children with sickle cell disease face higher risks of severe bacterial infections due to impaired immune defenses. However, the sickle cell gene offers protection against malaria.

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Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
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Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacterial infections significantly increase morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, especially children.
  • Common infections include pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, pyelonephritis, and sepsis, occurring more frequently than in the general population.
  • Key pathogens implicated are Diplococcus, Staphylococcus, Pneumococcus, Salmonella, and Streptococcus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare infection prevalence and outcomes in sickle cell disease patients across different populations.
  • To explore the underlying host defense defects contributing to increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in SCD.
  • To examine the protective effect of the sickle cell gene against malaria.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on infections in sickle cell disease.
  • Analysis of host defense mechanisms, including functional asplenia and impaired phagocytosis.
  • Comparison of infection rates and outcomes in various demographic and geographic populations.

Main Results:

  • Patients with SCD exhibit functional asplenia and defects in the alternate complement pathway, opsonic activity, and phagocytosis, predisposing them to bacteremia.
  • Hemoglobin S (Hb S) confers a survival advantage against malaria, demonstrating a beneficial association.
  • Infections are generally more prevalent in children than in older SCD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Impaired immune function in SCD patients creates a vulnerability to severe bacterial infections.
  • The sickle cell trait provides a significant evolutionary advantage by protecting against malaria.
  • Understanding these dual effects is crucial for managing SCD globally.