Implementing haemophilia care in Senegal, West Africa.

Despite significant progres on haemophilia care in developed world, this disease remains unknown in many sub-Saharan African countries. The objectives of this article were to report Senegalese experience on the management of haemophilia care through 18 years of follow-up. This cohort study included 140 patients (127 haemophilia A, 13 haemophilia B), followed in Dakar's haemophilia treatment centre from 1995 to 2012. Our study reported a prevalence of 2.3/100,000 male births, accounting for 11.6% of what is expected in Senegal. From the period 1995-2003 to 2004-2012, significant progress was seen including 67.9% increase in new patient's identification, 11.3 years reduction in mean age at diagnosis (from 15.5 to 4.2 years), lower mortality rate (from 15.3% to 6.8%) and age at death evolved from 6.5 to 23.3 years. Of the 50 haemophilia A patients who were tested for inhibitor presence, 10 were positive (eight severe and two moderate) that is prevalence of 20%. All patients were low responders since inhibitor titre was between 1.5 and 3.8 BU. Disabilities were seen in 36.5% of patients above 20 years old who had musculoskeletal sequels and 39% had no scholar or professional activities in our setting. Implementing haemophilia care in sub-Saharan Africa is a great challenge as this disease is not yet counted in national health problems in many countries. Lessons learned from this study show a significant improvement in diagnosis and prognosis parameters. This emphasizes the needs to set up such follow-up initiatives and to enhance medical and lay cooperation for better results.

[Predictive factors of chronic complications in adult sickle cell anemia patients in Dakar, Senegal]. / Facteurs prédictifs des complications chroniques de la drépanocytose homozygote chez l'adulte à Dakar (Sénégal).

PURPOSE: Chronic complications of sickle cell disease (SS) usually involve irreversible organ damage. Several genetic factors have been shown to have predicative value for chronic complications but these data are not always available. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of sociodemographic and clinicobiological features in predicting chronic complications. METHODS: This study included a total of 229 adult SS patients who underwent quarterly follow-up examinations for at least 10 years (range, 10 - 16). All sociodemographic and clinicobiological data were recorded. Screening for complications was performed at least once every three years. The risk of developing chronic complications was analyzed in function of patient follow-up data. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 28.6 years (range, 20 - 57) and sex ratio was 1.3. Prevalence of chronic complications was 34.9% (80/229). The most common complication was bone necrosis in 27 cases (11.7%) followed by gallstones in 24 (10.4%). The only sociodemographic factor with predictive value was patient age (p=0.0008). Multivariate analysis identified two clinicobiological factors with predictive value. History of transfusion was associated with a 3-fold higher risk while hemoglobin F level was associated with decreased risk. CONCLUSION: In this study, age and low hemoglobin F level were the only predictive factors of chronic complications in SS patients.

[Monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance and autoimmune disease: description of three cases in Senegal]. / Gammapathies monoclonales de signification indéterminée et maladies auto-immunes: étude de trois observations sénégalaises.

Monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) has rarely been reported in African literature. The purpose of this article is to describe 3 cases of MGUS observed in women aged 63, 54, and 44 years in Senegal. All three patients had previously documented autoimmune disease, i.e., auto-immune thrombopenia, multiple auto-immune disease (comprising Sjögren's syndrome, polymyositis and vitiligo), and Sjögren's syndrome. Diagnosis of MGUS was made thanks to routine protein electrophoresis that demonstrated a monoclonal peak in the gammaglobulin area in all patients. Serum protein binding showed the IgG lambda subtype in one case and IgG kappa subtype in two cases. Medullogram findings were unremarkable with nondystrophic plasma cell rates ranging from 1 to 4%. Bisphophonate therapy was undertaken along with the recommended treatments for the associated autoimmune diseases, i.e., prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. Treatment was successful in all three patients with stabilization of the associated diseases and of the monoclonal peak on subsequent electrophoresis. As of this writing, the mean duration of follow-up was 3 years. MGUS that has been uncommon in the African hospital setting should be screened for in all older patients or in patients presenting infection (especially due to virus) or autoimmune disease (as in the three cases presented herein). More systematic use of serum protein electrophoresis should reveal an increased incidence of MGUS. Diagnosis of MGUS requires regular clinical and laboratory surveillance due to the risk for complications of malignant hemopathies, especially multiple myeloma.

[Periodontal conditions in young sickle cell anemia Senegalese patients]. / Etat parodontal du jeune sénégalais drépanocytaire homozygote.

INTRODUCTION: The oral cavity holds a complex microbial flora including periodontal pathogens. The infectious complications are common in sickle cell anaemia, which reaches 1% of the population in Senegal. The objective of this study is to assess periodontal conditions in young Senegalese sickle cell anaemics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 82 subjects aged between 15 and 34 years with mean at 25.2 years +/- 4.6 was made up, including 35 homozygous and 47 non homozygous. Plaque index, gingival index and papillary bleeding index, tooth mobility and clinical attachment loss were assessed. Partial correlation between periodontal indexes and haemoglobin and hematocrit controlling for plaque index was performed. RESULTS: No significant statistical differences were found for periodontal indexes and clinical attachment loss between the two groups, even if homozygous show higher values. Periodontitis is less frequent in homozygous and odd ratio show protective effect of sickle cell anaemia (OR = 0.381, IC at 95% = [0.130; 1.1 18]). Tooth mobility is significantly increased in homozygous with mean at 1.0 +/- 0.8 versus 0.5 +/- 0.4 in control group (p = 0.000). Partial correlation show significant negative association between haematocrit and papillary bleeding index in homozygous (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that sickle cell anaemia can affect periodontal conditions and worsen periodontal diseases is to be considered even if it has not been proved as risk factor. Increased tooth mobility could be marker of periodontal risk in homozygous.

[Von Willebrand disease and menorrhagia]. / Maladie de Willebrand et ménorragie.

INTRODUCTION: Known since over than seventy years, von willebrand disaese is the most common herediary bleeding disorder. This condition was first described by Pr. Willebrand in 1926 in a family with (positive) history of excesive bleeding tendency. Von Willebrand desease is characterized by a lifelong tendency toward easy spontaneous mucosal or post operative bleeding. In females, excessive or prolonged menorrhagia could be a sign of von willebrand desease; symptoms that are often misunderstood to be gynecologic rather than hematologic problem. In the present work, we have tried to screen for this anomaly in females with menorrhagia, following a simple anamnestic, clinical and biological protocol. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In a seventeen month study, fifty two procreating females with menorrhagia were recruited in the haematology laboratory of Aristide le Dantec hospital with the cooperation of gynecology and obstetric departements of Aristide Le Dantec, Abass Ndao and grand yoff Hospitals. RESULTS: Eight patients were revealed to be von willebrand positive (prevalence: 15%). The diagnosis was retained on the basis of epidemiological, clinical and biological data. CONCLUSION: These simple and accessible criteria should allow better handling of patients with hemorragic disorders.

[Relation between lupus-antiphospholipids antibodies and heart disorders]. / Relation lupus-anticorps antiphospholipides et cardiopathie lupique.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Antiphospholipids antibodies (APL) are autoantibodies found in lupus erythematosus and disorders like. Their frequency varies between 2 and 62% according to the literature. An increased frequency of cardiac disorders in antiphospholipids (APL) positive lupus has been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of APL as an independent risk factor of cardiac disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study during 14 months has been designed with the cooperation of dermatologic, internal medicine and cardiology departments of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital of Dakar. Platelets count (Beckmann Coulter analyzer), activated partial thromboplastin time (Diagnostiga stago analyzer) and antiphospholipids antibodies (Elisa) were determined. RESULTS: 37 patients affected by lupus were included in this study with a net feminine prevalence (89%); 8 (14.6%) had APL's significant results and 20 presented an echographic heart abnormality. The analysis of our data did not reveal an increased risk of cardiac diseases among APL positive lupic patients as compared to the negative group (p = 1). CONCLUSION: The presence of APL in patients with systemic lupus does not so seem to be an independant risk factor of heart diseases.

Antibodies to HTLV-I p24 in African and Portuguese populations.

Using a radioimmunoassay to detect HTLV-I protein antibodies of molecular weight 24,000, we screened populations from Algeria (140 subjects), Tunisia (442), Mali (69), Senegal (415), Uganda (135), the Central African Republic (77), the Congo (360), and Madagascar (193). Only four subjects were positive (1 from Senegal, 1 from Uganda, 2 from the Congo). This is a much lower figure than that found by others in Africa by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. In addition, 319 Portuguese blood donors (46 of whom have lived in Angola or Mozambique) were screened using the same radioimmunoassay. All were negative.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Senegalease blood donors]. / Seroprevalence du virus de l'hepatite C (VHC) chez les donneurs de sang au Senegal.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important problem of public health in the world according to its transmission mode and its pathogenesis. The risk of blood transmission has led to be the systematic screening of blood donors in the world. In Senegal no study about HCV prevalence on the general population and also has been done. The aim of our study was to determine HCV prevalence in blood donors and the rate of co-infection with hepatitis B (HCV/HBV) or with HIV infection (HCV/HIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had been done in the National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS) in Dakar. Two different techniques has been used for the assessment HCV: 1/ ELISA technique and 2/ Immunoblot RIBA as confirmation test. RESULTS: Our study relates to 1565 blood donors recruited in CNTS during 2002. 369 of them were new blood donors with 365 females and 1200 males. The mean average was 30.5 +/- 9.5 years, ranged from 18 to 59 years. HCV ELISA test were positive in 22 plasma samples and one of them were co-infected with hepatitis B (HCV/HBV). Four out of these 22 samples have been confirmed positive to RIBA test and three of them were not determined. HCV seroprevalence were 1.4% after ELISA and 0.25% after RIBA testing. This seroprevalence were similar in male and in female and higher in new blood donors than in regular blood donors. CONCLUSION: Our results reinforce the necessity to screen hepatitis C virus in all Senegalese blood transfusion centres.

[Prevalence and morbidity of G6PD deficiency in sickle cell disease in the homozygote]. / Prevalence et morbidite du deficit en g6pd au cours de la drepanocytose homozygote.

Sickle cell disease and G6PD deficiency have similar prevalence of 8 to 10% in Senegalese population. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Hb S carriers and normal subjects, and to assess the interaction of G6PD deficiency on clinical severity of sickle cell disease. G6PD activity was measured in 319 sickle cell patients and in 318 subjects without HbS. Clinical severity was compared in male homozygous sickle cell patients (11 with G6PD deficiency and 19 without deficit). In homozygous sickle cell patients, the G6PD status was assessed after correction of reticulocyte count following the micro-centrifugation method of Herz. We found that prevalence of G6PD deficiency was higher in sickle cell disease patients (21.6 %) than in normal subjects (12.3 %) (p = 0.001). No difference was found in the two groups of male sickle cell disease patients concerning number of vaso-occlusive crisis, number of transfusion, frequency of infectious episodes, number of chronic complications, disturbances on patient's activity and total index severity.

[Expression of proliferation marker Ki 67 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia]. / Expression du marqueur de proliferation Ki 67 dans les leucemies lymphoides chroniques.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a clonal expansion of low proliferating mature B and T lymphocytes in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The nuclear antigen Ki 67 is a protein detected in G1, S, G2 and M phases of the cell cycle, but not in G0, and thus, is a widely accepted proliferation marker of Human tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate Ki 67 monoclonal antibody in CLL. We studied 48 patients diagnosed as CLL on the presence of clinical signs, over 4.109/l circulating lymphoid cells and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry using CD19, CD5, CD22, CD23, FMC7 and immunoglobulin light chains monoclonal antibodies. Ki 67 immunostaining was determined by Avidin Biotin Complex method. Our results allows to characterize between CLL: one group which proliferation rate (percentage of Ki 67 positive cells) was equal or less than 2%, represented by 14 cases (29,2%) with morphological aspect of typical CLL, one group which proliferation rate was between 3% and 9% represented by 32 cases (66,6%) with morphological aspect of polymorph CLL or prolymphocytic leukemia, and a last group with proliferation rate equal or up to 10% and corresponding to two cases (4,2%) of transformation of CLL to high grade Non Hodgkin lymphoma. There were no correlation between Matutes immunological score and proliferation rate, as this rate was 2.9% in score < 3 and 2.7% in score > 3. This study confirm the Ki 67 usefulness in studying cellular proliferation, and underline that CLL with polymorphic cytology are more proliferate than typical CLL. These data reinforce the notion that CLL is a disease with heterogeneity in clinical behavior, immunophenotype, cytogenetic, molecular aspects, and thus, prognostic.

[Physical performance and thermoregulatory study of subjects with sickle cell trait during a sub-maximal exercise]. / Etude de la performance physique et de la thermoregulation des sujets porteurs du trait drepanocytaire au cours d'un exercice sous maximal.

The sickle cell trait is a genetic abnormality of red blood cells. It is due to the mutation of a parental gene, which rest Its to the substitution of glutamic acid by valin on beta globin chain of haemoglobin. The possibility for sickle cell trait carriers (SCT) to present any disturbance during predominantly anaerobic and aerobic exercises is unclear. Ten (10) subjects with sickle cell trait and 10 subjects control were studied during exercise test on cycloergometer. They were all students of the National Institute of Popular Education and Sport of Dakar. The mean of environmental temperature was 26 degrees C and humidity was 60 to 80%. After haematological analysis, a submaximal muscular exercise for one hour with 75% of maximal heart rate was done. We have determined heart rate, blood pressure, rectal and skin temperature during exercise. Haematological parameters shown any significant difference between the two groups. No significant difference was found in cardiocirculatory variables during maximal exercise in cycloergometer between control group and sickle cell trait group. The two groups have done submaximal exercise during 1 hour without particular difficulty. We have not observed a significant difference between the two groups in cardiovascular variables, rectal and skin temperature during exercise, and after 3 minutes of rest. These results show that subjects with SCT have physical capacity comparable with control subjects during a sub maximal exercise for 1 hour. We can assure that subjects with SCT in our country may participate in sports competition, as well as normal subjects (HbAA).

Serological HLA class I alleles in Senegalese blood donors detected HBs Ag positive.

We analysed the HLA class I alleles in 96 blood donors HBs Ag positive compared with 93 healthy control individuals (HBs negative). The most frequent HLA-A, -B, -C alleles found were, A23 (33.6%); A2 (25%); A30 (25%); B8 (31.5%); B7 (16.3%); B58 (11.9%); B35 (11.9%); B49 (11.9%); B53 (10.8%); Cw7 (39.1%); Cw3 (36.9%); Cw4 (36.9%). Significant differences (P<0.001) were found between the blood donors and the controls for the following HLA alleles, A1; A23; B8 and Cw3. The detection of HBe antigen was positive in 26/84 blood donors. It was observed a significant difference (P<0.01; odds ratios (OR)=6.25) between positive and negative HBe antigens blood donors for HLA-A1 allele.

[Pattern of type A hemophilia in Senegal: prospective study in 54 patients]. / Profil évolutif de l'hémophilie A au Sénégal: étude prospective réalisée chez 54 patients.

Little is known about hemophilia in the developing countries because of the difficulties in the diagnosis and the therapeutical management of this disease. Here we present the results of the follow-up of 54 patients in Senegal. Diagnosis was always confirmed by measuring the biological activity of factors VIII and IX. Patients were treated at home or in the hematology service according to the gravity of hemorrhage events. The severe form represented 29.6%, moderate form was 55.6% and minor form 14.8%. Total number of hemorrhage events was 1078 per year: 449 hemarthrosis (41.7%), 373 exteriorized hemorrhage (34.7%) and 256 hematomas (23.7%). Mean frequency of hemarthrosis per patient per year was 12 in severe form, 8 in moderate form and 3 in minor form. Mean frequency of hematomas per patient per year was 5.2 in severe, 4.9 in moderate and 4.2 in minor form. For exteriorized hemorrhage, the mean frequency was 7.06 in severe, 7.4 in moderate and 6.5 in minor form. The severity of hemophilia significantly influenced the frequency of hemarthrosis (P = 0.02) but not the frequency of hematoma (P = 0.6) and exteriorized hemorrhage (P = 0.6). Treatment of these accidents was performed at home (88.5%), in day hospital (9.5%) or needed hospitalization (1.8%). Three patients have died during this three-year survey, one because of HIV infection and the two others from digestive hemorrhage. In conclusion, lesser morbidity and mortality were observed when compared with previously. The importance of a regular follow up and education of patients must be emphasized especially if factor concentrates are not available.

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Dakar: study of 107 cases diagnosed between 1986 and 1998]. / Les lymphomes non hodgkiniens à Dakar: étude réalisée sur 107 cas diagnostiqués entre 1986 et 1998.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) are the most prevalent malignant hemopathies in Senegal. In this study we have investigated the epidemiological aspects considering the HIV infection pandemic, and evaluated the diagnosis means and evolutive features of this disease in Dakar. Between 1986 and 1998 (13 years), we collected 107 cases of NHL, all histologically confirmed. Average age of patients was 31.4 years (2-85 years) and sex ratio was 21. HIV infection was found in three out of 62 patients tested (4.8%). At moment of diagnosis, 72% of patients were in stage III or IV according to the Ann Arbor Staging System. Large cell lymphomas were predominant (67.2%), followed by small lymphocyte lymphomas (24.2%) and follicular lymphoma with 8.4% of cases. Localization of lymphomas was exclusively nodal (30.8%) or extra nodal (31.7%) or mixed (37.3%). In therapeutical field, 21.5% of patients were treated with only symptomatical means. Chemotherapy was used in 54 patients (78.2% of treated patients), surgery was performed in 6 patients (8.6%), association of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in 5 patients (7.2%) and 4 patients (5.7%) were treated with surgery + chemotherapy. The average survival time was 344 days. Four patients (3.7%) were alive 3 years after diagnosis and only 2 patients (1.8%) after 5 years.

[Hematologic abnormalities and immunodepression in HIV/AIDS- related pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Anomalies de l'hémogramme et immunodépression dans l'associaton VIH/SIDA-tuberculose pulmonaire.

Our objectives were to describe hemato-immunological abnormalities encountered in tuberculosis patients HIV seropositive (TBVIH+, n = 67) or not (TBVIH-, n = 39) and in HIV asymptomatic patients (aSVIH+, n = 40). We found: a great reduction of mean value of RBC and Hb in TBVIH+ and TBVIH-; a reduction of mean value of leucocytes, total lymphocytes and CD4+ lymphocytes in TBVIH+ and aSVIH+; an inversion of [formula: see text] ratio, more important in TBVIH+ than in aSVIH+. HIV and tuberculosis association, HIV1 serotype and CD4 < 200/mm3 were found to promote significantly hemato-immunological abnormalities.

[Homozygous sickle cell disease in patients above 20 years of age: follow-up of 108 patients in Dakar]. / La drépanocytose homozygote après l'âge de 20 ans : suivi d'une cohorte de 108 patients au CHU de Dakar.

CONTEXT: The progress realized in the treatment of sickle cell anemia has resulted to a better and longer life for these patients in developed countries. Ongoing challenge are to manage complication and social living for these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine morbidity, mortality and socioprofessional insertion of homozygous sickle cell patients, followed up in Dakar university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a longitudinal and prospective study including 108 homozygous sickle cell anemia patients, whose age were above 20 years, followed in a regular basis (at least 3 times per year), during 5 years on average (3 to 12 years). All patients had a quarterly hematological check-up and a annual statement to detect chronic complications. Clinic and paraclinical data, as information in socioprofessional insertion were noted in medical records for analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 27 years (20-51 years). The age between 20-29 years was represented by 67.5%, 26.9% aged 30-39 years and 5.6% were above 40 years of age. Men were slightly predominant with a sex-ratio of 1.25. Concerning morbidity, 96.3% of patients had at least 1 vaso-occlusive crisis per year, 26.9% were transfused and 64.8% had been hospitalized during the follow-up. A chronic complication was found in 49% of patients (53/108). The more frequent of these complications were gall stone (10%), femoral head necrosis (9.2%), priapism (11.6% of men), chronic leg ulceration (4.6%), ophthalmic involvement (3.7%), renal and cardiac complications (2.7% for each one). The presence of complications was not significantly influenced by patient's sex. Five patients died during a mean follow-up of 5 years. Concerning school attendance, 13% reach university level whereas 47% stop their education on the secondary level and 40% on primary level. Professionally, 36.2% of patients had no exercise any activity. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize that life expectancy can be prolonged in sickle cell anemia patients in Africa, when they have a benefit of a regular follow-up. We show also the respective frequency of chronic complications and then, the necessity of multidisciplinary teams to optimize the take care of sickle cell anemia patients in Africa.

[Epidemiologic aspects and medical-social impact of hemophilia at the University Hospital Center in Dakar]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et impact médico-social de l'hémophilie au CHU de Dakar.

The epidemiology and medico-social impact of hemophilia is poorly understood in Africa due to low incidence of the disease and lack of trained hematologists and adequate laboratory facilities. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with the organization of regular follow-up for hemophilia patients at the University Hospital Center in Dakar, Senegal. A total of 54 patients with type A hemophilia were included in this three-year study. Moderate forms of hemophilia were the most common (55.6%) followed by severe (29.6%) and minor (14.8%) forms. There was no significant difference in mean patient age according to disease severity, i.e., 19.3 years for patients with severe forms, 13.4 years for patients with moderate forms and 15 years for patients with minor forms. Patients over 20 years of age accounted for 27.9% of the study population. The remaining patients were younger, i.e., between 10-19 years (33.3%) and between 1 and 9 years (38.8%). Eighty-seven percent of patients lived in Dakar and the remaining 13% were from various regions of the country. Among the 54 patients in this study, there were 38 (70.3%) with no hemophiliac brother in the family, 13 (24.1%) with one hemophiliac brother and three (5.6%) with two hemophiliac brothers. Osteoarticular damage was found in 28 patients (53.8%) involving the knee in 22, elbow in 18 and ankle in 9. Four patients were positive for HBs Ag (7.4%) and one patient for HIV. Professional or scholastic activity was possible in 69.2% of patients under 20 years old and 46.6% over 20 years old. Although results are still inadequate, a clear-cut improvement has been noted in the survival and quality of life of hemophiliacs in comparison with previous years. These findings show the value of regular surveillance for hemophilia patients in countries with limited resources.

[Preliminary study of disturbances of hemostasis in functional metrorrhagia in Senegalese women]. / Etude préliminaire des perturbations de l'hémostase dans les métrorragies fonctionnelles chez la femme sénégalaise.

Exploration of the blood residue from 30 senegalese women suffering from functional metrorrhagia led to hemostasis disruption, essentially connected with endogenous passage coagulation factors, being noted in 20% of the cases. Hence a hemostasis- and, in particular, endocrine-assessment of functional metrorrhagic exploration is proposed.

[CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations in bone marrow deficiency anemias]. / Etude des sous-populations lymphocytaires CD+4 et CD+8 au cours des anémies à moelle pauvre.

The study of CD4-CD8 lymphocytary sub-populations in 13 anaemic patients led the authors to note an increase in the CD8+ population in 61.5% of the cases, which resulted in the inversion of their CD4/CD8 ratio. This increase in the CD8 sub-population is connected with marrow-deficient anaemia, which leads them to suggest that marrow-deficient anaemia could well be classified according to the lymphocytary sub-populations.

[In vitro effects of Fagaro xanthoxyloïdes Lam. on drepanocytic erythrocytes]. / Les effets in vitro du Fagara xanthoxyloïdes Lam. sur les érythrocytes drépanocytaires.

Study of the effect of acquious extract of Fagara xanthoxyloids Lam on the red blood corpuscles of 17 drepanocytics (SS) and 3 carriers of the trait (AS) showed drepanocyte reversibility with a residual level of 7%, an increase in the haemoglobin jellification time to 25 mn. 15 sec. (as compared to 9 mn. 57 sec.) and a shortening of red corpuscle filtration time from the normal 24.65 sec. to 9.6 sec. In a way as yet not understood, Fagara, like pentoxiphyllin, improves the rheological properties of drepanocytary blood.