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Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) Available online at www.jpbms.info ISSN NO- 2230 - 7885 Original Review Article JPBMS JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES A REVIEW ON Hereditary Disorders 1Kinja Kuldeep*, 1Patel Hiten, 1Gupta Nakul of Pharmacy, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur-303121 Rajasthan, India. 1NIMS Institute Abstract Genetic disorders are either hereditary disorders or a result of mutations. Some disorders may confer an advantage, at least in certain environments. A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. Most disorders are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousands or millions. Some types of recessive gene disorders confer an advantage in the heterozygous state in certain environments. Genetic disorders rarely have effective treatments, though gene therapy is being tested as a possible treatment for some genetic diseases. There are mainly two types of genetic disorders are there. These are Single gene disorder and multifactorial and polygenic (complex) disorders. Single gene disorders are again of different types- Autosomal dominant, Autosomal recessive, X-linked dominant, X-linked recessive, Y-linked and Mitochondrial. Currently around 4,000 genetic disorders are known, with more being discovered. Most disorders are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousands or millions. In this article we only discussed about main four hereditary disorders which are having a high mortality and occurrence rate. These are Neurofibromatosis, CharcotMarie-Tooth disease (CMT), Haemophilia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. Key Words: Hereditary, Neurofibromatosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), Haemophilia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. Introduction: Hereditary Disease is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. While some diseases, such as cancer, are due in part to a genetic disorder, they can also be caused by environmental factors. Most disorders are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousands or millions. Several ways or mechanisms by which these disorders passes to subsequent generation are[1] Single gene order: A single gene disorder is the result of a single mutated gene. There are estimated to be over 4000 human diseases caused by single gene defects. Single gene disorders can be passed on to subsequent generations in several ways. Achondroplasia is one of the examples. a) Autosomal dominant: Only one mutated copy of the gene is necessary for a person to be affected by an autosomal dominant disorder. Each affected person usually has one affected parent. There is a 50% chance that a child will inherit the mutated gene. Neurofibromatosis and colorectal cancer are its examples. b) Autosomal recessive: Two copies of mutated genes are must for a person to be affected by an autosomal recessive disorder. An affected person usually has unaffected parents who each carry a *Corresponding Author Kuldeep Kinja, Department of Pharmacology, NIMS Institute of Pharmacy, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur-303121, India. 1 single copy of the mutated gene (and are referred to as carriers).For example sickle-cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy. c) X-linked dominant: X-linked dominant disorders are caused by mutations in genes on the X chromosome. For example X-linked hypophosphatemia rickets. The chance of passing on an X-linked dominant disorder differs between men and women. The sons of a man with an X-linked dominant disorder will all be unaffected (since they receive their father's Y chromosome), and his daughters will all inherit the condition. A woman with an X-linked dominant disorder has a 50% chance of having an affected foetus with each pregnancy. d) X-linked recessive: X-linked recessive disorders are also caused by mutations in genes on the X chromosome. The sons of a man with an X-linked recessive disorder will not be affected, and his daughters will carry one copy of the mutated gene. A woman who is a carrier of an X-linked recessive disorder has a 50% chance of having sons who are affected and a 50% chance of having daughters who carry one copy of the mutated gene and are therefore carriers. Hemophilia and Red-green color blindness are its examples. e) Y- Linkage: Y-linked disorders are caused by mutations on the Y chromosome. Because males inherit a Y chromosome from their fathers, son of an affected father will be all affected. Because females inherit an X chromosome from their fathers of affected fathers are never affected. Since the Y chromosome is relatively small and contains very few genes, there are relatively few disorders. Male infertility is one the example. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05 Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) Mitochondrial: This type of inheritance, also known as maternal inheritance and caused due to mutation in genes in mitochondrial DNA. Only females can pass on mitochondrial conditions to their children. Hereditary Optic Neuropathy is one of the examples. • • • Multifactorial and Polygenic disorders: These disorders are also known as complex disorders means that they are likely associated with the effects of multiple genes in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors. Multifactorial disorders include heart disease and diabetes. They do not have a clear-cut pattern of inheritance that makes them difficult to determine a person’s risk of inheriting or passing on these disorders. Complex disorders are also difficult to study and treat because the specific factors that cause most of these disorders have not yet been identified. • asthma • autism • autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis • cancers • diabetes • heart disease • hypertension • inflammatory bowel disease • mental retardation • obesity (i.e. bones of the leg, potentially resulting in bowing of the legs) Lisch nodules (hamartomas of iris), freckling in the iris. Tumors on the optic nerve, also known as an optic glioma A first-degree relative with a diagnosis of NF1. (Figure 2) Figure 1 : Plexiform neurofibroma Figure 2: Patient with multiple small cutaneous neurofibromas Neurofibromatosis: Neurofibromatosis (commonly abbreviated NF) is a genetically-inherited disease in which nerve tissue grows tumors known as neurofibromas that may be harmless or may cause serious damage by compressing nerves and other tissues. The disorder affects all neural crest cells (Schwann cells, melanocytes, endoneurial fibroblasts). Cellular elements from these cell types proliferate excessively throughout the body forming tumors and the melanocytes function abnormally resulting in disordered skin pigmentation. The tumors may cause bumps under the skin, colored spots, skeletal problems, pressure on spinal nerve roots, and other neurological[2, 3]. Diagnostic Criteria: Neurofibromatosis type 1: Neurofibromatosis type 1 - mutation of neurofibromin chromosome 17q11.2. The diagnosis of NF1 is made if any two of the following seven criteria are met: • Two or more neurofibromas on the skin or under the skin or one plexiform neurofibroma (a large cluster of tumors involving multiple nerves); Neurofibromas are the subcutaneous lumps that are characteristic of the disease and increase in number with age. (Figure 1) • Freckling of the groin or the axilla (arm pit). • Café au lait spots (pigmented, most often a shade of brown birthmarks). Six or more measuring 5 mm in greatest diameter in prepubertal individuals and over 15 mm in greatest diameter in postpubertal individuals • Skeletal abnormalities, such as sphenoid dysplasia or thinning of the cortex of the long bones of the body 2 Neurofibromatosis type 2: Following symptoms may be there:o Bilateral tumors, acoustic neuromas on the vestibulocochlear nerve (the eighth cranial nerve) leading to hearing loss o In fact, the hallmark of NF2 is hearing loss due to acoustic neuromas around the age of twenty o The tumors may cause: Headache Balance problems, and Vertigo Facial weakness/paralysis Patients with NF2 may also develop other brain tumors, as well as spinal tumors Deafness and Tinnitus # NF-1 and NF-2 may be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, as well as through random mutation. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is due to mutation on chromosome 17q11.2, the gene product being Neurofibromin ( a GTPase activating enzyme). Neurofibromatosis type 2 is due to mutation on chromosome 22q, the gene product is Merlin, a cytoskeletal protein. Both NF1 and NF2 are autosomal dominant disorders, meaning that only one copy of the mutated gene need be inherited to pass the disorder [4]. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05 Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) Treatment: Because there is no cure for the condition itself, the only therapy for those people with neurofibromatosis is a program of treatment by a team of specialists to manage symptoms or complications. Surgery may be needed when the tumors compress organs or other structures. Less than 10% of people with neurofibromatosis develop cancerous growths; in these cases, chemotherapy may be successful. A new clinical trial at NIH uses a drug called Peg-intron. There are some accounts of cures in foreign countries. Though nothing has proved by the American FDA to be effective, alternative resources would say otherwise. Some people may find something in the herbal remedies that can slow down the growth of these tumors. Peg-Intron (peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for Injection has been approved by the FDA as a once-weekly monotherapy for the treatment of Neurofibromatosis. It is indicated for patients with compensated liver disease who were not previously treated with alpha interferon. Peg-Intron is the first pegylated interferon to be approved in the United States, and therefore offers a new treatment option. disease is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, with 37 in 100,000 affected. Description: The disorder is caused by the absence of proteins that are essential for normal function of the nerves due to errors in the gene coding molecules. The absence of these chemical substances gives rise to dysfunction either in the axon or the myelin sheath of the nerve cell. Most of the mutations identified result in disrupted myelin production. The different classes of this disorder have been divided into the primary demyelinating neuropathies (CMT1, CMT3, and CMT4) and the primary axonal neuropathies (CMT2). Recent studies, however, show that the pathologies of these two classes are frequently intermingled, due to the dependence and close cellular interaction of Schwann cells and neurons. Schwann cells are responsible for myelin formation, enwrapping neural axons with their plasma membranes in a process called “myelination”[6, 7]. Symptoms: Side Effects: Peg-Intron may cause serious neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders. As a result, patients receiving treatment should be closely monitored, and those with persistently severe or worsening signs or symptoms of these conditions should discontinue therapy. In clinical trials, nearly all subjects experienced one or more adverse events. The most common adverse events associated with Peg-Intron were "flu-like" symptoms, which occurred in approximately 50% of subjects. Injection site irritation or inflammation was seen in 47% of subjects, and depression was reported in approximately 29% of subjects. Mechanism of Action: Peg-Intron utilizes proprietary PEG technology developed by Enzon. By linking recombinant interferon to a 12,000 Dalton polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule, the anti-viral properties of interferon can be sustained for a longer period of time. Interferon bind to specific cell surface membrane receptors and have been shown to exert antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. After binding to the cell membrane, the glycoproteins initiate intracellular events including the suppression of cell proliferation, the enhancement of macrophage activity, and the inhibition of viral replication in infected cells. (From Intone Prescribing Information)[5]. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), known also as Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN), Hereditary Sensorimotor Neuropathy (HSMN), or Peroneal Muscular Atrophy, is a heterogeneous inherited disorder of nerves (neuropathy) that is characterized by loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation, predominantly in the feet and legs but also in the hands and arms in the advanced stages of disease. Presently incurable, this 3 Symptoms usually begin in late childhood or early adulthood. Usually, the initial symptom is foot drop early in the course of the disease. This can also cause hammer toe, where the toes are always curled. Wasting of muscle tissue of the lower parts of the legs may give rise to "stork leg" or "inverted bottle" appearance. Weakness in the hands and forearms occurs in many people later in life as the disease progresses. Symptoms and progression of the disease can vary. Breathing can be affected in some; so can hear, vision, and the neck and shoulder muscles. Scoliosis is common. Hip sockets can be malformed. Gastrointestinal problems can be part of CMT, as can chewing, swallowing, and speaking (as vocal cords atrophy). A tremor can develop as muscles waste. Pregnancy has been known to exacerbate CMT, as well as extreme emotional stress [8, 9]. Treatment: Although there is no current standard treatment, the use of ascorbic acid has been proposed, and has shown some benefit in animal models. A clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of high doses of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in treating humans with CMT type 1A has been conducted. The results of the trial upon children have shown that a high dosage intake of ascorbic acid is safe but the efficacy endpoints expected were not met [10, 11]. People who have CMT are advised to maintain a healthy weight, because extra weight can limit mobility and places additional stress on the joints. They are also advised to be moderately physically active, and to pay special attention to the maintenance of their strength and flexibility. Water therapy is particularly beneficial, since the stress put on the joints is minimized. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association classifies the chemotherapy drug vincristine as a "definite high risk" and states that "vincristine has been proven hazardous and should be avoided by all CMT patients, including those with no symptoms"[12]. There are also several corrective surgical procedures that can be done to improve physical condition. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05 Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) Haemophilia: It is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken. In its most common form, haemophilia A, clotting factor VIII is absent. In Haemophilia B, factor IX is deficient. Haemophilia A occurs in about 1 in 5,000– 10,000 male births, while Haemophilia B occurs at about 1 in about 20,000–34,000. These genetic deficiencies may lower blood plasma clotting factor levels of coagulation factors needed for a normal clotting process. The bleeding with external injury is normal, but incidence of late re-bleeding and internal bleeding is increased, especially into muscles, joints, or bleeding into closed spaces. Major complications include haemarthrosis, haemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and menorrhagia. Haemophilia A is caused by coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency, haemophilia B by deficiency of coagulation factor IX (FIX), and haemophilia C by deficiency of coagulation factor XI. These clotting factor deficiencies are caused by recessive mutations of the respective clotting factor genes. As the recessive mutant FVIII and FIX genes are located on the X chromosome, both haemophilia A and haemophilia B are inherited in an Xlinked pattern[13]. Haemophilia B results from a wide range of heterogeneous mutations spread throughout the FIX gene. Most of these mutations are single-base substitutions. Studies in various populations have found evidence of a founder effect, where large numbers of cases of mild haemophilia B are due to a small number of founder mutations[17-19]. Probability: If a female gives birth to a haemophiliac child, either the female is a carrier for the disease or the haemophilia was the result of a spontaneous mutation. Until modern direct DNA testing, however, it was impossible to determine if a female with only healthy children was a carrier or not. Generally, the more healthy sons she bore, the higher the probability that she was not a carrier. If a male is afflicted with the disease and has children with a female who is not even a carrier, his daughters will be carriers of haemophilia. His sons, however, will not be affected with the disease. The disease is X-linked and the father cannot pass haemophilia through the Y chromosome. Males with the disorder are then no more likely to pass on the gene to their children than carrier females, though all daughters they sire will be carriers and all sons they father will not have haemophilia (unless the mother is a carrier). (Figure 3) Figure 3: Genetics of Hemophilia. Causes: Haemophilia A is an X-linked genetic disorder involving a lack of functional clotting Factor VIII and represents 90% of haemophilia cases. • Haemophilia B is an X-linked genetic disorder involving a lack of functional clotting Factor IX. It is more severe but less common than haemophilia A. • Haemophilia C is an autosomal genetic disorder (i.e. not X-linked) involving a lack of functional clotting Factor XI. Haemophilia C is not completely recessive: heterozygous individuals also show increased bleeding. A mother who is a carrier has a 50% chance of passing the faulty X chromosome to her daughter, while an affected father will always pass on the affected gene to his daughters. A son cannot inherit the defective gene from his father. Haemophilia A has a prevalence of about 1 in 10 000 males, while haemophilia B is less common, with a prevalence of about 1 in 35 000 males.7 The combined prevalence of both haemophilia A and B has been estimated as approximately 1 in 5 000 live male births. The most common mutation in haemophilia A is a large inversion and translocation of exons 1 - 22 (together with introns) away from exons 23 - 26, the mechanism of which is homologous recombination between the F8A gene in intron 22 and one of the F8A copies located outside the FVIII gene.9,10 This intron 22 inversion results in no FVIII protein being produced and is responsible for about 40% of cases of severe haemophilia A.11 This inversion arises almost exclusively in male germ cells.12 A similar inversion involves intron 1 of the FVIII gene, and has a prevalence of approximately 5% in patients with severe haemophilia A[14-16]. • 4 Treatment: Though there is no cure for haemophilia, it can be controlled with regular infusions of the deficient clotting factor, i.e. factor VIII in haemophilia A or factor IX in haemophilia B. Factor replacement can be either isolated from human blood serum, recombinant, or a combination of the two. Some haemophiliac develop antibodies (inhibitors) against the replacement factors given to them, so the amount of the factor has to be increased or non-human replacement products must be given, such as porcine factor VIII. Commercially produced factor concentrates such as Advate, a recombinant Factor VIII produced by Baxter International, come as a white powder in a vial which must be mixed with sterile water prior to intravenous injection. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05 Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) In early 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xyntha (Wyeth) anti-haemophiliac factor, genetically engineered from the genes of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Since 1993 (Dr. Mary Nugent) recombinant factor products (which are typically cultured in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) tissue culture cells and involve little, if any human plasma products) have been available and have been widely used in wealthier western countries. In Western countries, common standards of care fall into one of two categories: prophylaxis or on-demand. Prophylaxis involves the infusion of clotting factor on a regular schedule in order to keep clotting levels sufficiently high to prevent spontaneous bleeding episodes. On-demand treatment involves treating bleeding episodes once they arise. In 2007, a clinical trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine comparing on-demand treatment of boys (< 30 months) with haemophilia A with prophylactic treatment (infusions of 25 IU/kg body weight of Factor VIII every other day) in respect to its effect on the prevention of joint-diseases. When the boys reached 6 years of age, 93% of those in the prophylaxis group and 55% of those in the episodic-therapy group had a normal index jointstructure on MRI. It is recommended that people affected with haemophilia do specific exercises to strengthen the joints, particularly the elbows, knees, and ankles. Exercises include elements which increase flexibility, tone, and strength of muscles, increasing their ability to protect joints from damaging bleeds. These exercises are recommended after an internal bleed occurs and on a daily basis to strengthen the muscles and joints to prevent new bleeding problems. Many recommended exercises include standard sports warm-up and training exercises such as stretching of the calves, ankle circles, elbow flexions, and Quadriceps sets. Alternative and complementary treatments: While not a replacement for traditional treatments, preliminary scientific studies indicate that hypnosis and self-hypnosis can be effective at reducing bleeds and the severity of bleeds and thus the frequency of factor treatment. Herbs which strengthen blood vessels and act as astringents may benefit patients with haemophilia; however there is little or no peer reviewed research to support these claims. Suggested herbs include: Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and yarrow (Achillea millefolia) [20, 21]. Sickle-Cell Disease: Sickle-cell disease, or sickle-cell anaemia (or drepanocytosis), is a life-long blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. Sickling decreases the cells' flexibility and results in a risk of various complications. The sickling occurs because of a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. Life expectancy is shortened, with studies reporting an average life expectancy of 42 and 48 years for males and females, respectively. Sickle-cell disease, usually presenting in childhood, occurs more commonly in people (or their descendants) from parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions where 5 malaria is or was common. One-third of all indigenous inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa carry the gene. The prevalence of the disease in the United States is approximately 1 in 5,000, mostly affecting African Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Signs and symptoms: Sickle-cell disease may lead to various acute and chronic complications, several of which are potentially lethal. Vaso-occlusive crisis: The vaso-occlusive crisis is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct capillaries and restrict blood flow to an organ, resulting in ischemia, pain, and often organ damage. (Figure 4) Figure 4: Shape of the RBC in Sickle cell anemia Aplastic crises: These are acute worsening of the patient's baseline anemia, producing pallor, tachycardia, and fatigue. This crisis is triggered by parvovirus B19, which directly affects erythropoiesis (production of red blood cells). Most patients can be managed supportively; some need blood transfusion. Splenic sequestration crises: These are acute, painful enlargements of the spleen. The abdomen becomes bloated and very hard. Management is supportive, sometimes with blood transfusion. Haemolytic crises: These are acute accelerated drops in hemoglobin level. The red blood cells break down at a faster rate. This is particularly common in patients with co-existent G6PD deficiency. Management is supportive, sometimes with blood transfusions. Pathophysiology: Sickle-cell anaemia is caused by a point mutation in the βglobin chain of haemoglobin, causing the amino acid glutamic acid to be replaced with the hydrophobic amino acid valine at the sixth position. The β-globin gene is found on the short arm of chromosome 11. The association of two wild-type α-globin subunits with two mutant β-globin subunits forms haemoglobin S (HbS). Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05 Kuldeep Kinja et. al. / JPBMS, 2011, 5 (09) Healthy red blood cells typically live 90-120 days, but sickle cells only survive 10–20 days[22, 23]. Inheritance: • • 1. 2. Sickle-cell conditions are inherited from parents in much the same way as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color, and other physical traits. The types of hemoglobin a person makes in the red blood cells depend on what hemoglobin genes are inherited from his parents. If one parent has sickle-cell anaemia (SS) and the other has sickle-cell trait (AS), there is a 50% chance of a child's having sickle-cell disease (SS) and a 50% chance of a child's having sickle-cell trait (AS). When both parents have sickle-cell trait (AS), a child has a 25% chance (1 of 4) of sickle-cell disease (SS), as shown in the diagram. Treatment: Cyanate: Hydroxyurea: The first approved drug for the causative treatment of sickle-cell anaemia, hydroxyurea, was shown to decrease the number and severity of attacks in a study in 1995 and shown to possibly increase survival time in a study in 2003. This is achieved, in part, by reactivating fetal haemoglobin production in place of the haemoglobin S that causes sickle-cell anaemia. Hydroxyurea had previously been used as a chemotherapy agent, and there is some concern that long-term use may be harmful, but this risk has been shown to be either absent or very small and it is likely that the benefits outweigh the risks. Bone marrow transplants: Dietary cyanate, from foods containing cyanide derivatives, has been used as a treatment for sickle- cell anemia. In the laboratory, cyanate and thiocyanate irreversibly inhibit sickling of red blood cells drawn from sickle cell anemia patients. However, the cyanate would have to be administered to the patient for a lifetime, as each new red blood cell created must be prevented from sickling at the time of creation. Cyanate also would be expelled via the urea of a patient every cycle of treatment. Painful (vaso-occlusive) crisis: Most people with sickle-cell disease have intensely painful episodes called vaso-occlusive crises. The frequency, severity, and duration of these crises, however, vary tremendously. Painful crises are treated symptomatically with analgesics; pain management requires opioid administration at regular intervals until the crisis has settled. For milder crises, a subgroup of patients manages on NSAIDs (such as diclofenac or naproxen). For more severe crises, most patients require inpatient management for intravenous opioids; patientcontrolled analgesia (PCA) devices are commonly used in this setting. Diphenhydramine is also an effective agent that is frequently prescribed by doctors in order to help control any itching associated with the use of opioids. Folic acid and penicillin: Children born with sickle-cell disease will undergo close observation by the pediatrician and will require management by a hematologist to assure they remain healthy. These patients will take a 1 mg dose of folic acid daily for life. From birth to five years of age, they will also have to take penicillin daily due to the immature immune system that makes them more prone to early childhood illnesses. Acute chest crisis: Management is similar to vaso-occlusive crisis, with the addition of antibiotics (usually a quinolone or macrolide, since wall-deficient ["atypical"] bacteria are thought to contribute to the syndrome), oxygen supplementation for hypoxia, and close observation. Should the pulmonary infiltrate worsen or the oxygen requirements increase, 6 simple blood transfusion or exchange transfusion is indicated. The latter involves the exchange of a significant portion of the patient’s red cell mass for normal red cells, which decreases the percent of haemoglobin S in the patient's blood. Bone marrow transplants have proven to be effective in children. Future treatments: Various approaches are being sought for preventing sickling episodes as well as for the complications of sickle-cell disease. Other ways to modify hemoglobin switching are being investigated, including the use of phytochemicals such as nicosan. Gene therapy is under investigation[24,25]. 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J Infect Dis 1977; 136 Suppl: S25–30. 24.Wong W, Powars D, Chan L, Hiti A, Johnson C, Overturf G “Polysaccharide encapsulated bacterial infection in Sickle cell anaemia: a thirty year epidemiologic experience". Am J Hematol 1992; 39 (3): 176–82. 25.Jadavji T, Prober CG “Dactylitis in a child with Sickle cell trait”. Can Med Assoc J. 1985; 132 (7): 814–5. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 05, Issue 05