Susceptibility to invasive bacterial infections in children with sickle cell disease.

Abstract

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) demonstrate an increased susceptibility to invasive bacterial infections (IBI). The most common organisms causing IBI are Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontyphi Salmonella species and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). IBI are the most common causes of death in children below 5 years of age with SCD. Increased susceptibility to IBI is because of several factors including dysfunctional antibody production and opsonophagocytosis as well as defective splenic clearance. Early diagnosis of Hib and pneumococcal infections combined with antibiotic prophylaxis and immunization programs, could lead to significant improvements in mortality, especially in Africa.

• Authors: Anna J Battersby, Huxley H M Knox-Macaulay, Enitan D Carrol
• Journal: Pediatric blood & cancer (Pediatr Blood Cancer) Vol. 55 Issue 3 Pg. 401-6 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1545-5017 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20232448 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Pneumococcal Vaccines

Topics

• Anemia, Sickle Cell (genetics, immunology, microbiology)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Bacterial Infections (complications, immunology, prevention & control)
• Child, Preschool
• Disease Susceptibility
• Haemophilus Infections (complications, immunology)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Humans
• Pneumococcal Infections (complications, immunology, prevention & control)
• Pneumococcal Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Salmonella Infections (complications, immunology)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae