T-lymphocyte subsets were studied in two patient groups: (1) 50 patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia (SCA) (mean age 12 (range 3-32) years old) in good health at the time of the study who showed no infectious complication. (2) 50 patients (mean age 13 (range 4-29) years old) with normal haemoglobin rate. The global response revealed a significant increase in levels of CD3+ (P=0.04) and CD8+ (P=0.04) cells when compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in levels of CD4+ cells (P=0.05) between the two groups. However, there was a relationship between T-cell subpopulation levels and spleen status. The average values of T-cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+) in patients with SCA-induced splenic defects (asplenic, splenomegaly or splenectomized patients) were significantly reduced when compared to SCA patients with normal spleens and the control groups. These data show that T-cell activity was reduced in patients with splenic defects. A correlation between splenic status and a perturbed host defence system in patients with SCA suggests that monitoring T-cell subsets might have prognostic value in the course of sickle cell disease.

To describe the haematological profile of pregnant women and to compare these characteristics according to HIV serostatus in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, a cross-sectional study was made in the context of a research intervention programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV (ANRS 049 trial). HIV testing was systematically proposed to pregnant women attending the mother and child health clinic of a community health centre. Blood samples were tested for HIV antibodies using Genelavia and Peptilav. The haematological parameters were measured with a Coulter counter. From May 1995 to March 1996, 1646 pregnant women accepted HIV testing and had a full blood count available. The prevalence of HIV infection was 12.0% (n = 197). The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] < 11 g/dL) was 70.1%, n = 1155 (95% confidence interval 68-72%) and significantly higher in HIV+ (81.7%, n = 161) than in HIV- women (68.9%, n = 994) (P < 0.001). Severe anaemia (Hb < 7 g/dL) was present in 1.9% of the women (n = 31), 4.6% (n = 9) in HIV+ and 1.5% (n = 22) in HIV- women (P < 0.001). HIV infection, primigravidae and secundigravidae were factors independently associated with anaemia. Anaemia was highly prevalent in this population while severe anaemia was rare. HIV infection was a contributor to anaemia in pregnancy. As zidovudine, with its known haematological toxicity, has recently been introduced to prevent MTCT of HIV in developing countries, screening HIV+ women for severe anaemia is necessary.

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RESUMELa drépanocytose est une maladie génétique qui constitue un problème de santé publique en Côte d'Ivoire. Etant donné les coûts onéreux du traitement, les patients s'orientent vers la médecine traditionnelle avec l'utilisation de plantes, parmi lesquelles Cajanus cajan. L'objectif de ce travail était de réaliser une étude phytochimique et d'évaluer in vitro l'effet antifalcimiant des graines de Cajanus cajan. Cette étude expérimentale s'est effectuée en deux phases : une première consacrée à la caractérisation des graines et l'autre concernait l'étude de l'activité antifalcimiante in vitro de ces graines. L'étude de l'activité antifalcimiante s'est faite sur les prélèvements sanguins de 30 drépanocytaires homozygotes SSFA 2 . Après induction de la falciformation des globules rouges, l'ajout de l'extrait aqueux de la plante a permis d'évaluer l'activité antifalcimiante par la recherche des drépanocytes au microscope optique. Les Characterization and in vitro evaluation of the antisickling effect of the seeds of Cajanus cajan (Fabaceae) on sickle cells in Abidjan -Côte d'Ivoire ABSTRACTSickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that constitutes a public health problem in Côte d'Ivoire. Given the high cost of treatment, patients in Africa turn to traditional medicine with the use of plants, including E. N' DRAMAN-DONOU et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 9(5): 2300-2308, 2015 2301Cajanus cajan. The objective of this work was to make a phytochemical study and to evaluate in vitro the antisickling effect of seeds of Cajanus cajan. This experimental study was carried out in two phases: the first was devoted to the characterization of the seeds and the other concerned the study of the in vitro antisickling activity of these seeds. The study was done on the blood samples of 30 SSFA 2 homozygote patients with sickle cell anemia. After induction of the sickling of red blood cells, the addition of the aqueous extract of the plant allowed the evaluation of the antisickling activity by the search for sickle cells under an optical microscope. Cajanus cajan seeds contain sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. They are without any acute toxicity. The aqueous extract reduced the rate of sickle cells of about 50% after 30 min of contact. This study made it possible to show that the seeds of Cajanus cajan have antisickling virtues.

Background and Objectives. Interactions between sickle cells involving CD 49d, CD36, and the vascular endothelium may initiate vasoocclusion leading to acute painful episodes and multiple organ failure. Materials and Methods. We selected 60 SS patients who had never been treated by hydroxyurea. We performed a total blood count. We identified with immunophenotyping by flow cytometry total reticulocytes their distribution according to the degree of maturity (mature, intermediate, very immature) and CD 36+ and CD 49d+ antigens. Stress reticulocytes corresponded to the sum of intermediate and immature cells. Results. Subjects in crisis had more total reticulocytes and very immature reticulocytes than subjects in stationary phase (P < 0.05). During the crisis, total CD 36+ reticulocytes (214 870 ± 107 584/μL versus 148 878 ± 115 024/μL; P < 0.05) and the very immature CD 36+ reticulocytes (28.9 ± 7.9% versus 23.0 ± 6.4%; P < 0.05) increased. The clinical status had no impact on CD 49d+ reticulocytes. Conclusion. The rates of stress reticulocytes in general and those expressing CD 49d and CD 36 were very high. The clinical status had an influence on CD 36+ reticulocytes. The expression of adhesion molecules is only one of the parameters involved in sickle cell disease crisis.