Bacterial infection in the sickle cell population: Development and enabling factors

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Lucrece M. Delicat Loembet

University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku, Gabon

: Endocrinol Diabetes Res

Abstract

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The high frequency of bacterial infections represents a major threat to public health. In developing countries, they are still responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations with sickle cell disease, particularly in children under 5 years of age. Indeed, they have an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections due to their immune deficiency. This susceptibility is even greater for pneumococcal and salmonella infections. In addition, the underdevelopment of some countries and socio-economic factors increases this condition. This review examines the common and specific factors leading to infections in people with sickle cell disease in different types of developed and undeveloped countries. The threat of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by S. pneumoniae and Salmonella, is of increasing concern due to the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In light of this disturbing data, new strategies to control and prevent these infections are needed. Solutions could be systematic penicillin therapy, vaccinations, and probabilistic antibiotic therapy protocols.

Biography

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Lucrèce M. Délicat Loembet, is a Gabonese holder of a PHD in Chemical and Biological Sciences for Health from the University of Montpellier 2 in France, Teacherresearcher at the University of Science and Technology of Masuku in Franceville, Gabon. She is a CAMES MasterAssistant. Qualified as a woman of challenges, she has worked for 12 years in research on hemoglobinopathies. She created in November 2018 an NGO that raises awareness and trains academic and medical staff. The NGO Sickle Cell Disease Organization of Gabon, accompanies the parents of sickle cell children and sets up a guide for the follow-up of sickle cell patients.