Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in Advanced Phase: An Analytical Evaluation

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and morphological features in advanced phase chronic myeloid leukaemia. Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted at the Pathology Unit of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2012 till June 2016. Diagnosed patients of chronic myeloid leukaemia in accelerated and blast phase of the disease were included in the study. History was taken, physical examination, complete blood counts, peripheral blood film examination, and bone marrow biopsy was done. Results: Mean age in the advanced phase was 47 years. Female to male ratio was 5:1. 19 patients were in blast phase ; 14( 74%) in myeloid transformation, 4(21%) patients in lymphoblastic transformation and 1(05%) patient transformed into acute biphenotypic leukaemia showing both lymphoid and myeloid markers. Forty six patients were in accelerated phase. Conclusion: There is usually not a single criterion for transition into accelerated phase but certain variables coexist at the same time

Differential Leukocyte and Platelet Counts as Early Diagnostic Indicators in Acute Dengue Infection

Background: Dengue is an epidemic in Pakistan. Proper monitoring of dengue cases is necessary for its early diagnosis and prevention especially in developing countries with limited resources. Our study aims to use some hematological parameters as Early Diagnostic Indicators in Acute Dengue Infection which can help in reducing mortality and morbidity. Methods: Dengue NS1 Antigen test was used to identify 119 Dengue Patients over the months of August-October, 2019. Hematological data from such patients was collected and analysed. Results:  In our study thrombocytopenia was prominent with sensitivity based on gender distribution being 86% for males and 76% for females. According to age, distribution thrombocytopenia had a sensitivity of up to 81% in the younger age group and 80% in the older age group. The other prominent findings in younger age groups were lymphopenia, neutropenia, and monocytopenia with a sensitivity of 55%, 43%, and 24% respectively. Lymphopenia and neutropenia had similar sensitivity across the two genders, whereas monocytopenia had higher sensitivity among females of 27% as opposed to males of 12%. Eosinopenia did not differ as much among the two age groups i.e. 18% in young and 19% in older patients and across the two genders i.e. 56% in males and 60% in females. The sensitivity of lymphocytosis in older patients is 21% which was also significant. Conclusions:  The Differential Leukocyte Count and Platelets Count can help as an early indicators of acute dengue infection in resource limited areas. This can help in early diagnosis and prompt treatment thus reducing complications.   Keywords: Acute dengue, differential leukocyte count, platelets count, thrombocytopenia, neutropeni

Differential Leukocyte and Platelet Counts as Early Diagnostic Indicators in Acute Dengue Infection

Background: Dengue is an epidemic in Pakistan. Proper monitoring of dengue cases is necessary for its early diagnosis and prevention especially in developing countries with limited resources. Our study aims to use some hematological parameters as Early Diagnostic Indicators in Acute Dengue Infection which can help in reducing mortality and morbidity. Methods: Dengue NS1 Antigen test was used to identify 119 Dengue Patients over the months of August-October, 2019. Hematological data from such patients was collected and analysed. Results:  In our study thrombocytopenia was prominent with sensitivity based on gender distribution being 86% for males and 76% for females. According to age, distribution thrombocytopenia had a sensitivity of up to 81% in the younger age group and 80% in the older age group. The other prominent findings in younger age groups were lymphopenia, neutropenia, and monocytopenia with a sensitivity of 55%, 43%, and 24% respectively. Lymphopenia and neutropenia had similar sensitivity across the two genders, whereas monocytopenia had higher sensitivity among females of 27% as opposed to males of 12%. Eosinopenia did not differ as much among the two age groups i.e. 18% in young and 19% in older patients and across the two genders i.e. 56% in males and 60% in females. The sensitivity of lymphocytosis in older patients is 21% which was also significant. Conclusions:  The Differential Leukocyte Count and Platelets Count can help as an early indicators of acute dengue infection in resource limited areas. This can help in early diagnosis and prompt treatment thus reducing complications.   Keywords: Acute dengue, differential leukocyte count, platelets count, thrombocytopenia, neutropeni

Diagnostic Accuracy of Red Cell Distribution Width in Mild Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women of Childbearing Age

Background: To determine the accuracy of red celldistribution width-coefficient of variation (RDWCV)in detection of mild iron deficiency anaemia inwomen of child bearing age by comparing it withserum ferritin level.Methods: In this cross-sectional study one hundredeighty women of child bearing age between 15-45years with mild anaemia(Haemoglobin 9-11 g/dl)were selected. Complete blood count (includingRDW-CV) was performed using automatedhaematology analyzer Sysmex XT 2000i. RDWCVvalueof more than 17% was taken as cutoff.Those patients having RDW-CV>17% and a lowserum ferritin < 15 ng/ml were taken as truepositives while those with RDW-CV <17% and ahigh serum ferritin > 15 ng/ ml were taken as truenegatives. False positives were those having a serumferritin of > 15 ng/ml and RDW-CV of >17% whilefalse negative were those having a serum ferritin of< 15 ng/ml and RDW of < 17%.Results: Mean age of patients was 30± 4 years.Seventy (39%) patients were true positive while 65(36%) patients were true negative. Sixty four patients(35.5%) were pregnant females and 116(64%) werenon-pregnant females. Among the pregnant patients,21 patients (32.8%) were true positive. Among nonpregnantfemales 69 patients (59.5%) were truepositive.Conclusion: RDW-CV has diagnostic significanceas an early indicator of iron deficiency

Absolute Lymphocyte Count and its Correlation with Serum Ferritin Level: An early indicator of disease severity in COVID-19

Introduction: The massive number of cases with SARS-Cov-2 has put a tremendous pressure on healthcare systems all over the world. Most of the countries have declared health emergency. In these highly challenging times and also to reduce the risk of morbidity early warning signs may be helpful.6 Objective: To correlate lymphocyte count with serum ferritin levels in patients with COVID-19 admitted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from July 2020-December 2020. A positive COVID-19 patient was the one who had a positive real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 by sampling through nasopharyngeal swabs. 3 ml of blood is taken for Blood CP in ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid containing vacutainers and was run on Sysmex-XN series. For serum ferritin 4 ml clotted blood was collected in plain test tube. Serum ferritin was performed on AXSYM system by immunoassay using AXSYM Ferritin reagent kit pack. Covid -19 disease severity classification proposed by WHO was used to categorise the patients. (WHO COVID 19 interim guidelines). 11 Results: A total of 91 patients diagnosed with covid-19 by RT-PCR testing admitted in intensive care units (severe and critical disease) were included in the study. Out of these 91 patients ;41 were males and 50 patients were females. Mean age of the patients was 61+/- 9 years. The age range was (28-75) years. The median nadir lymphocyte count was 0.2 X 10 9/L. Mean lymphocyte count was 1.1 +/- 0.2 SD. Mean Ferritin value was 1148.5 +/- 60 SD. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed an r value of -0.60 which shows a moderate negative correlation. Conclusion: There is a significant negative correlation between lymphocyte count and serum ferritin level

Nostalgia: A Possible Source of Behavioral Intention to use AI Technology

We want to study the effect of Nostalgia on the adoption and usage of Artificial Intelligence Enabled Personal Assistants (AIEPA). We discuss the factors that cause resistance to the adoption and use of these AIEPAs. We also explore if Nostalgia can help overcome the resistance to adoption and use of the AIEPA. We collect data and carry out an analysis to extend the existing body of knowledge. We also discuss possible implications at the theoretical and managerial levels