Irene Bagala, MD (MMed Pediatrics, MBA, MBChB)
Nominated From: Indiana University
Research Site: Global Health Uganda
Research Area: Sickle Cell Disease
Primary Mentor: Chandy John
Research Project
Splenomegaly and risk for malaria infection in sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder worldwide with most children living in Sub Sahara Africa, the sub-continent which epidemiologically also bears the highest burden of malaria. Children with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) are at high risk of severe infections including malaria, that can lead to complications and death. The spleen is the first organ affected in SCA and its injury can lead to atrophy, although splenomegaly can also co-exist with loss of function. Persistent splenomegally has been linked to recurrent infections with plasmodium infections, but its role in increased malaria risk in children with SCA remains unclear. This study will examine splenomegally and the risk to malaria infection ina cohort of children with SCA. This is a prospective study nested within the Zinc for infection prevention in SCA trial. The study will be Nalufenya Children’s Hosptal. 100 Ugandan children below 5 years will be enrolled, medical history, physical examinations including measurement of spleen size will be performed. Abdominal ultra sound for measurement of spleen size will be done and blood samples collected to evaluate incidence of malaria and presence of Howell-Jolly bodies.
Research Significance
There is a high morbidity and mortality by malaria despite the current interventions. There is need to assess the function of the spleen and its role in increasing the susceptibility to malaria infections. Also, the need to generate more information on the relationship between malaria and immunologic factors. This information will support the use of interventions in SCA including malaria vaccination.
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