CD3+ and CD4+ T Lymphocyte Counts in Recently Transfused Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Zaria, Nigeria.

Abstract

Blood transfusion is the mainstay in the management of SCD and this may present with attendant risk of transfusion induced immunomodulation (TRIM). The aim of the research was to enumerate CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes in recently transfused SCD patients in steady state. The objectives are to compare the CD3+ & CD4+ counts of test and control groups and to see the effects of time after transfusion and dose on the counts. One hundred participants with SCD were recruited in the study, 50 participants were transfused within the previous six months to sample collection and the remaining 50 had no history of blood transfusion within six months to time of sample collection. All the participants were HIV seronegative adults in steady state. CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte count was done using BD FACS count flow cytometer. There was no significant difference between the study group and the control group in CD3+ and CD4+ T- lymphocyte count; mean and standard deviation: 2333.00± 1069 cells (/µL) and 2429.0± 847 cells (/µL) respectively, p=0.6198. There was also no significant correlation between number of blood units given and T cell subsets (CD3+ and CD4+ T cell count). Spearman’s ρ and p values for CD4+ and CD3+ T cells = ( -0.0552 and p=0.7030) and (ρ= -0.0553 and p=0.7063). Blood transfusion is not associated with changes in CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte subset counts in patients with sickle cell disease.