Immature reticulocyte fraction and erythrocyte indices in children with homozygous sickle cell disease during the interictal phase:  A cross-sectional study in Lubumbashi.

Arold Fazili; Priscille Lushimba Samukini; Adonis Kalume; Armand Abasi; Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-te-Nyiwa

doi:10.51168/crzncv75

Autori

Arold Fazili Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
Priscille Lushimba Samukini Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
Adonis Kalume Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
Armand Abasi Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-te-Nyiwa University of Kinshasa, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Democratic Republic of Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/crzncv75

Cuvinte cheie:

Sickle cell disease, Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), Compensatory erythropoiesis, Cross-sectional study, Interictal phase, Erythrocyte indices

Rezumat

Introduction:

Homozygous sickle cell disease (SS) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia and vaso -occlusive crises. In Lubumbashi (DRC), routine laboratory evaluation is often limited to a complete blood count, neglecting advanced reticulocyte parameters. This study aims to evaluate the profile of the immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) and erythrocyte constants in children with SS sickle cell disease during the intercritical phase.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 49 children with SS sickle cell disease, aged 1 to 12 years, followed at the DeeServices Medical Laboratory. Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and IRF (sum of medium and high fluorescence fractions), were measured using the URIT 5160 analyzer. Statistical analysis was based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to assess the relationships between variables, in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Results:

The cohort presented with severe anemia, with a mean hemoglobin concentration of 7.33 g/ dL and impaired erythrocyte indices. The median IRF was 23.30%, reflecting significant reticulocyte stress and sustained compensatory erythropoietic activity. A positive and highly significant correlation ( rho = 0.923, p < 0.001 ) was found between IRF and the absolute reticulocyte count.

Conclusion:

The intercritical phase in children with sickle cell disease (SS) does not correspond to a state of biological rest, but rather to active bone marrow regeneration. The IRF (erythropoietic response index) proves to be a relevant indicator for documenting the erythropoietic response in a cross-sectional setting.

Recommendation: It is recommended that hospital laboratories in Haut-Katanga routinely integrate automated hematological analyzers capable of measuring IRF alongside absolute reticulocyte counts to accurately assess bone marrow regenerative activity during the interictal phase of pediatric sickle cell disease.

Biografii autori

Arold Fazili, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Medical biologist, researcher in hematology and immuno-hematology, and faculty member/teaching assistant at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi (ISTM Likasi), DRC. His research centers on erythrocyte parameters and inflammatory biomarkers in hemoglobinopathies.
Priscille Lushimba Samukini, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Medical biologist and clinical investigator specializing in laboratory diagnostics and pediatric hematology workflows in Lubumbashi, DRC.
Adonis Kalume, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Clinical laboratory scientist, technical specialist, and faculty member/instructor at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi (ISTM Likasi), DRC, experienced in biomedical sample management and data curation.
Armand Abasi, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi, Department of Medical Biology, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Laboratory quality control specialist, biomedical technician, and faculty member/instructor at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Likasi (ISTM Likasi), DRC, focused on hematological analyzer standardization, quality assurance protocols, and laboratory safety.
Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-te-Nyiwa, University of Kinshasa, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Democratic Republic of Congo

· Secretary General in charge of Research at ISTM Kinshasa and Full Professor at the University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, with extensive expertise in biological sciences, scientific literature review, and academic research supervision in the DRC. Author Contribution: Systematic review of scientific literature, bibliographic review, correction of references. All authors have read and approved the final version of the article.

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