Sickel cell

history

Sickle cell anemia was the first diagnosed

disease that was linked to the hemoglobin
protein and genetically characterized
1910: First Description of Sickle Cell
Disease
Dr. B. Herrick wrote a report about a
patient who suffered from a "strange
disease" including such symptoms as
asthmatic conditions and blood flow
problems including body ulcers


1911: Second Published Case of Sickle Cell
Disease
Shortly after, a female patient aged 25 years was
described with symptoms of sickle cell disease.
She had been in medical care for some years but
had previously been diagnosed with a form of
pernicious anemia with unusual characteristics.
Similarly to the first case, the patient had a blood
film that clearly demonstrated the form of sickle
haemoglobin cells.


1915: Third Published Case and Suggestion of
Genetic Link
The third recorded case was a 21-year-old female that
once again showed the blood film that was indicative of
sickle cell disease.
The blood film of the father was also examined, which
made this case particularly notable. It was noted that
while there were no abnormalities evident in the fresh
blood sample, some abnormal cells were evident after a
few days. This became the first crude test of sickle cell
disease and was the first time the disease as an
inherited condition had been suggested.


1922: Fourth Published Case and Sickle
Cell Anaemia Terminology
A 21-year-old male patient was the fourth case
of sickle cell disease in published literature,
and the first case that used the terminology of
sickle cell anaemia.

Consolidation Period

In this period of time, there were more case

reports of patients with sickle cell disease,
strengthening the medical knowledge of the
disease.
It was in this time that terminology about the
disease developed, including the active and
latent forms of the disease
At this time malaria was also developed.

Awareness Period

Throughout the 1970s, there were several

health organizations that expressed an
interest in sickle cell disease and helped to
create awareness and raise funding for
research. As a result of this research, the life
expectancy and quality of life for patients with
the disease has improved dramatically.