Comparative study of the extent of haemolysis sickle cell patients in crisis and Plasmodium falciparum infected patients

Abstract

Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Potassium (K⁺), Iron (Fe) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were studied in 22 patients with sickle cell disease in crisis, 30 patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection (malaria) and 50 apparently healthy subjects, as control.  The serum levels of LDH, K⁺ and fe in sickle cell patients and Plasmodium falciparum infected patients was significantly higher (P<0.05) than control subjects, while this parameters were significantly higher in sickle cell patients than Plasmodium falciparum infected patients (P<0.05).  However, the mean value of Packed Cell Volume was significantly lower in sickle cell patients and malaria patients compared to that of control subject, and significantly lower in sickle cell patients compared to malaria patients.

      These results show active haemolysis in sickle cell patients in crisis and patients infected with P. falciparum.  The level of haemolysis was however more in sickle cell patients in crisis than that of patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum.  While both patients require interventions that arrest clinical implication of haemolysis, these interventions are more necessitated in sickle cell patients in crisis.