Hypofibronectinaemia and severity of sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria

Plasma fibronectin levels in sickle cell anaemia and apparently healthy Nigerians were investigated to determine any correlation with disease severity. A cheaper in-house plasma fibronectin assay was also developed that could be adapted for use in Africa and elsewhere. Plasma fibronectin assay was concurrently carried out using the newly developed inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a commercial competitive binding ELISA. The in-house assay compared favourably with that of the commercial kit. The mean plasma fibronectin levels in sickle cell anaemia subjects were significantly lower than that of control subjects (P < 0.001). Plasma fibronectin concentration could therefore be useful in assessing the severity of sickle cell anaemia.