Drepanocytus [Drepanocytus; Greek Drepane Sickle + (Erythro)Cit; Syn. Meniscotsi]

Drepanocytes (sickle-shaped red blood cells) are red blood cells that have the shape of a sickle. They are observed in the blood of carriers of the sickle cell anemia gene, both homo- and heterozygous.

Sickle-shaped red blood cells are formed as a result of a mutation in the gene responsible for the synthesis of the hemoglobin protein. This mutation causes hemoglobin to form an irregular shape that resembles a sickle. Because of this, sickled red blood cells have a lower oxygen-carrying capacity, which can lead to decreased oxygen levels in the blood and ultimately lead to various diseases.

In addition, sickle red blood cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, which can lead to various complications such as myocardial infarction or stroke. However, despite all these risks, sickle red blood cells are an important part of the human immune system. They help recognize and destroy bacteria and other pathogens, which helps protect the body from infections.

Thus, sickle red blood cells play an important role in our body, although they have some negative effects. If you have sickle-shaped red blood cells in your blood, this may indicate you have sickle cell disease or other diseases. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular medical examinations and consult a doctor if sickle red blood cells are detected in the blood.

I exist! In fact, this is not a saying of a famous character, but a designation of a formation in the composition of human blood. A process in which DNA-bound hemoglobin is unstable can result in the replacement of the wild genotype by an intermediate hemitype, the product of which is an abnormal sickle red blood cell. A study published in 2014 describes the association between carriage of these genotypes with dyslipidemia due to labile HDL deficiency. This is thought to contribute to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.