Detection of Antiphospholipid Antibodies (IgM) in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Khartoum State

Abstract

Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes. Antiphospholipid antibodies are a group of antibodies that bind to the negatively charged phospholipids. A theory suggests that the high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies found in patients with sickle cell disease are secondary to red blood cells breakdown. Both sickle cell anemia and antiphospholipid syndrome are risk factors for venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between antiphospholipid (IgM) antibodies and incidence of vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell anemia. In this descriptive cross – sectional study, a total of 75 sickle cell anemia patients were enrolled, aged between 6 months and 45 years (Mean ± SD: 10.59); 34 (45.33%) of them were males and 41 (54.67%) were females. Two blood samples were collected from each participant, one in EDTA container for hematological parameters and the other in plain container for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. Complete Blood Count was performed by automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex KX-21N) and the antiphospholipid (IgM) antibodies were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Patients’ data were collected from participants by questionnaire and analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS), version16. All patients showed negative results for antiphospholipid antibodies. The mean values of CBC parameters in sickle cell anemia patients showed that Hb concentration values were 7.6 g/dl, MCV values were 87.0 fl, MCH values were 26.0 pg and RDW values were 22.6. 56 (74.67%) of the patients had normocytic normochromic anemia, 15 (20%) had microcytic hypochromic anemia and 4 (5.33%) had macrocytic anemia. 43 (57.33%) of them had severe anemia, 26 (34.67%) had moderate anemia and 6 (8%) had mild anemia. Regarding the frequency of the complications, 22 (29.33%) had painful crisis which was the most common and 4 (5.33%) had previous thrombosis episodes which was the less common. In conclusion, antiphospholipid antibodies were not detected among Sudanese sickle cell anemia patients included in this study.