Fucosyltransferase VII Activity in Sickle Cell Disease: Implications for Disease Severity and Vaso-occlusive Risk in Nigerian Patients

Background This study investigated plasma fucosyltransferase VII (FUT7) levels in Nigerian patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) to assess its relationship with disease severity and vaso-occlusive risk. Given FUT7's role in leukocyte-endothelial interactions, we hypothesized that altered FUT7 activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in SCD. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, involving 38 SCD patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Plasma FUT7 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and haematological parameters were assessed. SCD patients were classified based on VOC frequency in the preceding year. Result Plasma FUT7 levels did not differ significantly between SCD patients and healthy controls (p = 0.674). No significant correlations were observed between FUT7 levels and markers of disease severity, including haematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count. Although patients with ≥ 2 VOCs had lower median FUT7 levels than those with < 2 VOCs, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.108). Conclusion These findings suggest that FUT7 activity may not be a major determinant of disease severity or vaso-occlusive risk in SCD. Further research should explore alternative glycosylation pathways and leukocyte adhesion mechanisms in SCD pathophysiology.