CSIR-CCMB Develops India-Specific Sickle Cell Severity Tool

Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) developed an India-specific disease severity score for sickle cell anaemia on 2 October 2026. The tool was built from clinical data of 171 Indian children aged up to 18 years treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin, and it is classified as a haemoglobinopathy. The disease can produce anaemia, pain episodes, and organ-related complications, and its clinical pattern varies across populations.

India-Specific Severity Scores

The revised model is named ISS1, which stands for India-specific Severity Score. ISS1 improved clinical assessment accuracy to nearly 83 per cent, while ISS2 used observable clinical indicators instead of laboratory measurements and achieved about 85 per cent concordance.

ISS2 correctly identified all patients in the mild category. The design of ISS2 allows clinicians to make management decisions without extensive laboratory investigations.

Comparison with Existing Scoring Systems

The Paediatric Severity Score, or PSS, is a widely used international scoring system based on patient data from outside India. In the Indian study, PSS matched expert clinical assessments in about 67 per cent of cases.

Existing international scoring systems do not fully match the clinical profile of Indian patients with sickle cell anaemia. Indian disease patterns differ from those seen in African and Western populations.

Important Facts for Exams

• CSIR-CCMB is a laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, which is a premier research body in India.
• Hydroxyurea is a medicine used in sickle cell disease to reduce complications and improve clinical management.
• ISS1 and ISS2 are India-specific tools developed for clinical severity assessment in sickle cell anaemia.
• The broader CSIR-Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission also includes a PCR-based molecular test validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Mission Context

The development forms part of the CSIR-Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission. The mission also includes an affordable PCR-based molecular test developed by CSIR-CCMB and validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research with 100 per cent sensitivity and specificity.

Validation and Wider Use

Further validation in larger and more diverse populations is needed before wider adoption of the tool. The model may also be relevant for other low- and middle-income countries with similar genetic backgrounds and healthcare conditions.