Molecular and Cellular Basis of Severe Forms of Dengue in Sickle Cell Patients
Dengue virus (DENV) belongs to the genus of Flavivirus transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and is responsible for an infectious disease associated with different forms and severities such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome. Several recent reports have shown that sickle cell patients exhibited an increased risk of developing severe forms of dengue episodes compared to non-sickle cell subjects. Furthermore, among major sickle cell syndromes, these studies suggest that SC patients are at the highest risk of death during these infectious episodes although this sickle cell syndrome is generally associated with a more moderate expression of sickle cell disease. However, the mechanisms involved remain unknown to date. The aim of the present study is to identify the molecular and cellular basis of this increased severity of dengue in SC patients. We hypothesize an exacerbation during DENV infection of the inflammatory response in SC patients compared to SS patients.
• patients with SS or SC SCD or controls with hemoglobin AA
• diagnosis of SCD performed by electrophoresis or HPLC in a reference laboratory for hemoglobinopathies
• patients older than 6 years and younger than 25 at inclusion
• clinically in a steady state at inclusion (without complication during the last month and without transfusion in the three last months)
• patients followed up for SCD at the sickle cell center of Guadeloupe (University hospital of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre)
• patients or legal representatives of minors who will provide written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki
• patients affiliated to national social security
• the control group (AA subjects) will be recruited among volunteers recruited by posters