Speculated mechanisms for lower HIV prevalence and/or progression in SCD has included an inhibition of HIV replication due to the immunologic changes and pro-inflammatory component of SCD pathophysiology, changes in iron metabolism [11], absence of splenic function [13], as well as the CCR5 delta 32 allele frequency that confers resistance against HIV [33]. Here, CCR5 is linked to Schnyder corneal dystrophy.