Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder characterized by generation of abnormal haemoglobin (Hb) resulting in abnormally shaped (sickled) red blood cells (RBCs) leading to their life span reduction. It considers the most common single gene mutation affecting millions of people worldwide. Several number of studies found that the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) has been found to be significantly associated with leukocytes count. In Saudi Arabia, there is a very limited research studies on leukocytes level between carrier and affected patients with sickle cell. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the level of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes among patients who diagnosed with either sickle cell trait or sickle cell anaemia between the aged 18 to 45 years. The result of this study showed that sickle cell carrier patients had normal level of total while blood cells, neutrophils and monocytes. However, slight increase in the lymphocytes count was detected among only 4% of carrier patients. The total level of white blood cells for patients with sickle cell anaemia showed higher results than both normal individuals (control samples) and sickle cell carrier patients. In addition, lymphocytes were reported with high results among 40% of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients while neutrophils and monocytes level was normal. Normal leukocyte, neutrophils and monocytes count was common among sickle cell carriers, which indicated that carrier patients have no disease complications or high risk of developing infection. On the other hand, abnormal level of leukocyte was common in majority of Saudi male and female SCA patients investigated in this study.