Platelet larger cell ratio (P-LCR) in patients with dyslipidemia

We have described preliminary results of platelet larger cell ratio (P-LCR) analysis, provided by an automated hematology analyzer in patients with hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceremia. P-LCR values were significantly higher in patients (n = 41) than in control normal group (n = 20) (P < 0.0001). Larger platelets are more reactive and contribute to vasooclusive events in patients with dyslipidemia. P-LCR may be used as an indicator of risk factor for thromboembolic ischemic events.26534734

Measurement of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices in patients with iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor

New parameters correlated with the hemoglobin content in reticulocytes (RET-Y) and in red blood cells (RBC-Y) have been suggested as helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. We have studied RET-Y and RBC-Y indices in two groups of patients with microcytosis to verify if these parameters could be used to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from beta-thalassemia minor. Blood samples from 33 iron-deficient patients, 25 beta-thalassemic minor patients and 50 normal individuals were analyzed on a Sysmex XE-2100 instrument. A significant difference was observed in reticulocyte counting and immature reticulocyte fraction between iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor groups, but not in RBC-X and RET-Y parameters. Reticulocyte counting was higher in beta-thalassemia minor and the immature reticulocyte fraction was higher in severe iron deficiency anemia. The ratio RET-Y/mean cell volume was tested and was significantly different when beta-thalassemia minor was compared with mild and severe iron deficiency anemia, and showed better performance than the Mentzer ratio and the Green and King function. A great overlap of RET-Y and RBC-Y individual values was observed in both groups of microcytic anemias; we conclude that these new indices may be used with caution as indicative of iron deficiency, mainly in populations where beta-thalassemia minor is frequent.o TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE AGOSTO DE 2015.43219519

PATTERN OF NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZER REGIONS IN HUMAN LEUKEMIC-CELLS

The pattern of nucleolar organizer regions in bone marrow smears of 40 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 27 with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and 15 control cases were studied. All normal blasts as well as leukemic blasts revealed at least one cluster of AgNORs. In AML the mean number of clusters (2.87 +/- 0.48) and dots (0.23 +/- 0. 17) per cell was significantly lower than in normal myeloblasts (3.27 +/- 0.14 resp. 0.34 +/- 0.12). In ALL the number of clusters (2.82 +/- 0.62) was not significantly different from that of AML blasts. While in all control cases the distribution of the number of clusters per cell within a case could be approximated by a modified Poisson equation, this did not hold for 9 ALL and in 13 AML patients. The histogram of those cases showed a lower dispersion. In ALL, but not in AML, the number of clusters per cell correlated with the peripheral leukocyte count. The present results strengthen the concept that clusters and dots should be regarded as separate entities and suggest that their pattern is related to duration of cell cycle as it has been shown in other tissues.5420321

Evaluation of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A in the detection of inflammatory and infectious diseases in children

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Background: Various biomarkers have been proposed to help diagnose inflammatory and infectious diseases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of some of these markers in children seen in an emergency service, and to compare a number of routinely used tests with measurements of serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: A total of 83 children with clinically suspected inflammation (n = 17) or infection (n = 66) who had been seen at the emergency department were evaluated. Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP (using two methods) and SAA measurements were performed. Results: There was no difference in the parameters studied between the inflammation and infectious groups. However, when the infectious group was subdivided into bacterial (n = 21) and viral infections (n = 43), significantly higher leukocyte, CRP and SAA values were observed in the former group. CRP was the most accurate indicator of inflammatory and infectious processes [Kappa concordance index (KCI) = 0.89], followed by SAA (KCI = 0.73) and ESR (KCI = 0.73). The worst results were obtained for the immature/total neutrophil ratio (KCI = 0.02). Conclusions: Measurement of CRP showed the best performance for indicating infectious or inflammatory processes. ESR and SAA had good concordance and yielded very similar results. CRP may be included in protocols for pediatric assessment in emergency departments. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:493-9.o TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE AGOSTO DE 2015.484493499FAEPEX (UNICAMP) [413/2008]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAEPEX (UNICAMP) [413/2008

Haptoglobin phenotype appears to affect the pathogenesis of American trypanosomiasis

In Latin America, 16 million-18 million people are thought to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes American trypanosomiasis. The pathophysiology of this disease, particularly that of its chronic phase, has yet to be fully elucidated. The major function of haptoglobin, an acute-phase plasma protein found in three different phenotypes (Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp2-2), is to bind to free haemoglobin and so prevent the accumulation of reactive hydroxyl radicals and renal damage. The haptoglobin phenotype present can influence the severity and progression of many diseases, including infectious ones. The aim of the present study was to see if any haptoglobin phenotype could be associated with any of the various clinical forms of American trypanosomiasis, and so explore the possibility that haptoglobin and iron metabolism have a role in the pathophysiology of this disease. The Brazilian subjects investigated were either suffering from the 'indeterminate' (N=16), chronic cardiac (N=34), chronic digestive (N=13) or chronic 'combined' (i.e. cardiac plus digestive; N=29) forms of the disease or were apparently healthy blood donors from the same region as the patients (N=197). Haptoglobin phenotypes were determined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Among the iron-related parameters investigated in the patients, only total iron-binding capacity and the serum concentration of haptoglobin differed significantly with haptoglobin phenotype. Compared with its frequency in the healthy controls, the Hp2-2 phenotype was much more frequent in the patients with any form of American trypanosomiasis, in the patients with the indeterminate form of the disease, and in the patients with the chronic combined form (P <= 0.0001 for each). It therefore appears that, in terms of the pathogenesis in those exposed to T. cruzi, possession of the 2-2 phenotype of haptoglobin may be detrimental.100321322

Reticulocyte parameters and hemoglobin F production in sickle cell disease patients undergoing hydroxyurea therapy

Hemoglobin F (HbF) is an effective inhibitor of HbS polymerization. Hydroxyurea (HU) is used to increase HbF synthesis and improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. We studied a series of laboratory parameters concerning HbF production and reticulocyte response, and compared data between two groups: 1) 13 SCD patients treated with HU, and 2) 33 untreated SCD patients. Higher values of Hb concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean reticulocyte volume (MRV), HbF concentration, percentage of F-cells, and amount of HbF/ F-cells were observed in the treated group of patients. There was no correlation between Hb and HbF elevations. The reticulocyte count, immature reticulocyte count, mean fluorescence index (MFI), and neutrophil count were significantly lower in treated patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that a decreased hemolytic process occurred in patients undergoing HU treatment. There was a significant correlation between MCV and a HbF, between MRV and HbF, and between MRV and F-cell in patients taking HU. These data indicate that macroreticulocytes correspond to F-reticulocytes, and that an increase in MRV in SCD patients using HU may be an indirect signal of F-cell production. The concentration of HbF/F-cells was higher in patients treated with HU, but this increase apparently was independent of F-cell production. Reticulocyte (RTC) parameters, as assessed by hematological analyzers, may be useful for following erythropoietic changes in patients receiving HILI, and can indirectly indicate HbF and F-cell production induced by HU therapy. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 17:66-72, 2003. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.172667

Immature reticulocyte fraction as a criterion for marrow engraftment. Evaluation of a semi-automated reticulocyte counting method

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