1) To study the mechanism of neutrophil function on Gram-negative bacterial infection in splenectomized and non-splenectimized ?-thalassemia/HbE patients.
2) To determine clinical history, CBC, iron status, liver function and immunological parameters including MBL, Igs, complement components and viral infection.
3) To study the effect of LPS from E.coli and IFN? on neutrophil function including adhesion molecule expression, cytokine production, phagocytosis, oxidative burst and NETosis.
4) To study the effect of MBL on neutrophil function and complement system
