High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level in patients with sickle cell anaemia

Inflammation may play an essential role in vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease. Sickle patients have high white counts and elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, and adhesion molecules. However, it may be important to demonstrate an active inflammatory response also during steady state. Nineteen young male patients (25±4 years old) and 19 age and sex matched volunteers took part in this study. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay technology during the steady state of the sickle patients. It was found that sickle patients had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP compared with the control group (3.22±4.9 mg/dl vs. 0.42±0.27 mg/dl, p=0.02). Chronic inflammatory response exists in patients with sickle cell anaemia during steady state conditions, and it may explain in part the sickle erythrocytes adherence to endothelium.