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Difference between sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait

Dear student,

Sickle cell trait is the heterozygous condition (HbAHbS) in which there is one defective allele of the same beta globin chain of haemoglobin in which glutamate is replaced by valine to cause sickle cell anaemia. But it does not displays any symptoms of the sickle cell disease because the individual under this condition is the carrier of the disease and have the 50% chances of their progeny to be diseased.
On the other hand, Sickle cell anaemia is the disease caused by substitution of glutamate by valine in the beta globin chain of haemoglobin and this mutation causes severe problems with the blood. Blood cells become sickle-shaped and their O2 carrying capacity reduces, causes anaemia. It is the homozygous condition in which both the alleles are affected (HbsHbs).

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People with sickle cell trait carry only one copy of the altered hemoglobin gene and rarely have any clinical symptoms related to the disease. In contrast, people with sickle cell disease carry two copies of the altered hemoglobin gene. With two copies of the altered gene, the red blood cells are destroyed rapidly and patients have chronic, severe anemia, or low hemoglobin levels. Red blood cells become misshapen, many of which take the “C” or sickle shape that gives the disease its name. Without proper treatment, a person with sickle cell disease can develop recurrent episodes of pain and may have life-threatening complications, including damage to organs such as brain, bones, lungs, kidneys, liver and heart. The disease affects between 70,000 and 100,000 Americans and is most common in people of African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Central and South American and Asian Indian origin or descent.............
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