Laboratory Diagnostics of Microparticles

Microparticles were first described by Chargaff in 1946 as precipitable factors that accelerate thrombine formation in platelet-free plasma. Twenty years later, Wolf gave them the name ’platelet dust’ and discovered that they have the ability to produce thrombine after the ultracentrifugation of plasma. As a result of the development of measuring methods from the 90s onwards, our knowledge about ’platelet dust’ has broadened and deepened considerably. These particles have since been called microparticles (MP) and microvesicles (MV). It has become clear later that besides in vivo platelets, they may originate from other cells and that they can be detected not only in the circulating blood but also in other body fluids e.g. urine, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid and saliva

Plasma Fibrinogen Independently Predicts Hypofibrinolysis in Severe COVID-19

High rates of thrombosis are present in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Deeper insight into the prothrombotic state is essential to provide the best thromboprophylaxis care. Here, we aimed to explore associations among platelet indices, conventional hemostasis parameters, and viscoelastometry data. This pilot study included patients with severe COVID-19 (n = 21) and age-matched controls (n = 21). Each patient received 100 mg aspirin therapy at the time of blood sampling. Total platelet count, high immature platelet fraction (H-IPF), fibrinogen, D-dimer, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, von Willebrand factor antigen and von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity, plasminogen, and alpha2-antiplasmin were measured. To monitor the aspirin therapy, a platelet function test from hirudin anticoagulated whole blood was performed using the ASPI test by Multiplate analyser. High on-aspirin platelet reactivity (n = 8) was defined with an AUC > 40 cut-off value by ASPI tests. In addition, in vitro viscoelastometric tests were carried out using a ClotPro analyser in COVID-associated thromboembolic events (n = 8) (p = 0.071) nor the survival rate (p = 0.854) showed associations with high on-aspirin platelet reactivity status. The platelet count (p = 0.03), all subjects. COVID-19 patients presented with higher levels of inflammatory markers, compared with the controls, along with evidence of hypercoagulability by ClotPro. H-IPF (%) was significantly higher among non-survivors (n = 18) compared to survivors (p = 0.011), and a negative correlation (p = 0.002) was found between H-IPF and plasminogen level in the total population. The platelet count was significantly higher among patients with high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (p = 0.03). Neither the ECA-A10 (p = 0.008), and ECA-MCF (p = 0.016) were significantly higher, while the tPA-CFT (p < 0.001) was significantly lower among patients with high on-aspirin platelet reactivity. However, only fibrinogen proved to be an independent predictor of hypofibrinolysis in severe COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, a faster developing, more solid clot formation was observed in aspirin ‘non-responder’ COVID-19 patients. Therefore, an individually tailored thromboprophylaxis is needed to prevent thrombotic complications, particularly in the hypofibrinolytic cluster

Fever after Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with mRNA-Based Vaccine Associated with Higher Antibody Levels during 6 Months Follow-Up

Background: The effect of post-vaccination adverse events on immunogenicity is unknown. We aimed to explore relationship between post-vaccination adverse reactions and antibody levels during 6-month follow-up. Methods: Blood was serially drawn from healthcare workers after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Day 12, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG (S-IgG) levels were measured. Following each vaccine dose, volunteers completed a questionnaire regarding adverse reactions (symptomatic vs. asymptomatic groups). Results: A total of 395 subjects received the second dose of the vaccine. The main results were as follows: (i) fever after the 2nd dose was independently associated with the median S-IgG level at all follow-up time points; (ii) significantly higher S-IgG levels were observed in the symptomatic group of patients without prior COVID-19 infection throughout the entire follow-up period; (iii) prior COVID-19 positivity resulted in higher S-IgG levels only in the asymptomatic group from Day 90 of the follow-up period; (iv) both prior COVID-19 disease with asymptomatic status and symptomatic status without prior COVID-19 infection resulted in similar S-IgG antibody levels; (v) significantly lower serum S-IgG levels were observed in smokers. Conclusion: Fever may play an important role in the post-vaccination immune response in the long term

Severe Fatigue and Memory Impairment Are Associated with Lower Serum Level of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Patients with Post-COVID Symptoms

Background: Post-COVID manifestation is defined as persistent symptoms or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from disease onset. Fatigue and memory impairment are common post-COVID symptoms. We aimed to explore associations between the timeline and severity of post-COVID fatigue and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Methods: Fatigue and memory impairment were assessed in a total of 101 post-COVID subjects using the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ-11) and a visual analogue scale. Using the bimodal scoring system generated from CFQ-11, a score ≥4 was defined as severe fatigue. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S-Ig) and nucleocapsid (anti-NC-Ig) antibodies were examined at two time points: 4–12 weeks after onset of symptoms, and beyond 12 weeks. Results: The serum level of anti-S-Ig was significantly higher in patients with non-severe fatigue compared to those with severe fatigue at 4–12 weeks (p = 0.006) and beyond 12 weeks (p = 0.016). The serum level of anti-NC-Ig remained high in patients with non-severe fatigue at both time points. In contrast, anti-NC-Ig decreased significantly in severe fatigue cases regardless of the elapsed time (4–12 weeks: p = 0.024; beyond 12 weeks: p = 0.005). The incidence of memory impairment was significantly correlated with lower anti-S-Ig levels (−0.359, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The systemic immune response reflected by antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is strongly correlated with the severity of post-COVID fatigue

Adverse Reactions after Booster SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Have Less Impact on Antibody Response than after Basic Vaccination Scheme

Background: It is known that adverse reactions following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations show a positive correlation with the subsequent antibody titer. However, it is not clear how the adverse reactions following the booster vaccination are related to the antibody levels that can be measured after a 3rd dose. The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether the adverse reactions following the booster vaccination show a correlation with subsequent antibody levels. Methods: Adverse reactions occurring within 7 days after the 3rd vaccination were recorded and the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein immunoglobulin (Ig) level in the venous blood was measured on post-vaccination 14th, 60th and 120th days. Results: A total of 218 volunteers were included in the study. Main findings: (i) The adverse reactions that appeared after the booster dose did not show a positive correlation with the subsequent antibody level, except a correlation in the case of fever; (ii) there were more symptomatic patients in the group receiving heterologous booster vaccine, (iii) fever after the 2nd dose was independently associated with a reduction in the likelihood of COVID-19 positivity after the booster dose. Conclusion: No adverse reactions, but fever showed a correlation with the antibody level after the booster SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Multidrogrezisztencia-vizsgálatok krónikus lymphoid leukaemiában = Multidrug resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Az utóbbi években krónikus lymphoid leukaemiában új prognosztikai faktorok vizsgálata került a figyelem középpontjába. A citogenetikai eltérések, az immunglobulin-nehézlánc génmutációs státusza, a CD38- és ZAP70-expresszió mind a közelmúltban megismert prognosztikus faktorok, de kevés az adat a multidrog-rezisztencia jelentőségéről. Célok: A tanulmány célja genetikai, expressziós és funkcionális szinten jellemezni 82 krónikus lymphoid leukaemiában szenvedő beteg multidrog-rezisztenciájának sajátosságait, és vizsgálni azok összefüggését a betegek túlélésével és a kezelésre adott válasszal. Módszerek: a szerzők 66 betegnél vizsgálták az MDR-1 gén ben – Light Cycler Real Time PCR segítségével meghatározott – „Single Nucleotid Polymorphism” sajátosságot, amely irodalmi adatok szerint a P-glikoprotein expresszióját befolyásolja. Összesen 82 betegnél áramlási citometria során anti-P-glikoprotein monoklonális antitest segítségével a P-glikoprotein- expresszió t, az ún. calcein-verapamil teszttel pedig a multidrog-rezisztencia funkcióját vizsgálták. A kezelésre adott választ 35 betegnél vizsgálták, a statisztikai elemzésnél Fischer-tesztet alkalmazva. A túlélési analízist a teljes beteganyagon elvégezték ( n = 82, Log-rank-teszt). Eredmények: Az irodalmi adatokkal ellentétben a szerzők nem találtak korrelációt a vizsgált három multidrogrezisztencia-teszt között. A kezelésre adott választ vizsgálva 35 kezelt betegből 13 nonrespondernek, 22 pedig respondernek bizonyult. A P-glikoprotein-pozitív fenotípusú esetek ( n = 9) 89%-ban klinikailag nonrespondernek bizonyultak (9 P-glikoprotein-pozitív krónikus lymphoid leukaemiás beteg közül 8 nonresponder volt), a P-glikoprotein-negatív esetek ( n = 26) pedig 80%-ban jó terápiás választ mutattak (26 P-glikoprotein-negatív beteg közül 21 responder) ( p < 0,001). Az átlagos várható túlélésben is jelentős, bár nem szignifikáns ( p = 0,106) különbséget észleltek (84 vs 203 hónap). Következtetések: A vizsgált három laboratóriumi paraméter közül a P-glikoprotein sejtfelszíni jelenléte a leginkább releváns adat krónikus lymphoid leukaemiában a kemorezisztencia előjelzésére és a túléléssel kapcsolatban is prognosztikai faktorként értékelhető. | Introduction: New prognostic factors discovered in chronic lymphocytic leukemia have recently got into the center of clinical interest. While the predictive value of cytogenetical abnormalities, immunglobulin heavy chain gene mutation status, CD38 and ZAP70 expression is already well known, the significance of multidrog resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is not well characterized. Aims: The goal of this study was to characterize the multidrug resistance features in 82 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at the genetical, expression- and functional level and to compare it with the patient’s clinical behavior (survival and response to therapy). Methods: Light Cycler Real Time PCR based „Single Nucleotide Polymorphism” analysis of the MDR1 gene, as a biological predictor of the expression level of P-glycoprotein was tested in 66 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. P-glycoprotein expression and MDR-function was detected in 82 cases by flow cytometry (by use of anti-P-glycoprotein monoclonal antibody and calcein-verapamil functional test). Response to therapy was analyzed by statistical Fisher-test in the treated 35 patients. The survival analysis (Log-rank test) was performed on the whole population ( n = 82). Results: No significant correlation was found between the three levels of multidrug resistance (genetics, phenotype, function) in our patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. P-glycoprotein positive cases ( n = 9) were predominantly non-responders (8/9, 89%). There must be, however, other mechanisms causing non-response (total non-responders: 13/35 treated cases). Most of P-glycoprotein negative CLL patients ( n = 26) responded well (21/26, 80%) to chemotherapy (responders: 22/35 treated CLL) ( p < 0,001). The tendency was the same in the average expected survival rate between P-glycoprotein positive and negative patients (84 vs 203 mounths) but the difference was not significant ( p = 0,106). Conclusions: This study proved the clinical prognostic significance of P-glycoprotein expression of leukaemic cells predicting the chemotherapy response and partially estimating the general survival of patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Haemorheological and haemostatic alterations in coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease in comparison with non-coeliac, non-IBD subjects (HERMES) : a case-control study protocol

Haemorheological and haemostatic changes predispose to the development of arterial and venous thrombotic events; however, limited information is available on the status of these changes in coeliac disease (CeD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we aim to describe the haemorheological and haemostatic profiles of CeD and IBD patients in a Hungarian cohort of patients to investigate whether any alterations contribute to elevated thrombotic risk.This is a case-control study involving newly diagnosed and followed CeD and IBD patients with age-matched and sex-matched non-CeD, non-IBD subjects with an allocation ratio of 1:1:1.After informed consent is obtained, a detailed medical history will be collected, including venous and arterial thrombotic risk factors and medications. Symptoms in CeD patients will be assessed with the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale, and disease activity in IBD patients will be determined by disease-specific scores. Dietary adherence will be assessed among CeD patients with a thorough interview together with a measurement of self-reported adherence, dietary knowledge and urine analysis (detection of gluten immunogenic peptides). In addition to routine laboratory parameters, haemorheological (ie, erythrocyte deformability and aggregation, viscosity of whole blood and plasma) and haemostatic parameters (eg, protein C, protein S and antithrombin) with immunological indicators (ie, coeliac-specific serology and antiphospholipid antibodies) will be measured from venous blood for every participant.Primary and secondary outcomes will be haemorheological and haemostatic parameters, respectively. Univariate and multivariate statistics will be used to compare CeD and IBD patients to control subjects. Subgroup analysis will be performed by disease type in IBD, (Crohn's disease and ulcerose colitis), dietary adherence in CeD, and disease activity in IBD and CeD.The study was approved by the Regional and Local Research Ethics Committee, University of Pécs (Ref. No. 6917). Findings will be disseminated at research conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.ISRCTN49677481

Gravity sedimentation reveals functionally and morphologically different platelets in human blood

In contrast to red blood cells, platelets float rather than sediment when a column of blood is placed in the gravitational field. By the analogy of erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), it can be expressed with the platelet antisedimentation rate (PAR), which quantitates the difference in platelet count between the upper and lower halves of the blood column after 1 h of 1 g sedimentation. Venous blood samples from 21 healthy subjects were analyzed for PAR. After a 1-h sedimentation, the upper and lower fractions of blood samples were analyzed for platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), immature platelet fraction (IPF), and high-fluorescence IPF (H-IPF). The mechanisms behind platelet flotation were explored by further partitioning of the blood column, time-dependent measurements of platelet count and comparison with ESR. The structure and function of the platelets were assessed by electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and platelet aggregometry, respectively. Platelet antisedimentation is driven by density differences and facilitated by a size-exclusion mechanism caused by progressive erythrocyte sedimentation. The area under the curve (AUC) of the whole blood adenosine diphosphate (ADP) aggregation curves showed significant differences between the upper and lower samples (p p  It is less known that platelets do not sediment in response to gravitational force but float on the top of the blood column. This phenomenon is called antisedimentation, the rate of which, however, can be different, yet this feature has not been widely studied and used in clinical practice or diagnosis. We tested the idea that antisedimentation of platelets from venous blood samples can be a potential biomarker. We have found that platelet antisedimentation is driven by density differences and facilitated by a size-exclusion mechanism caused by progressive erythrocyte sedimentation and after 1-h upper and lower fractions develop. Interestingly, the aggregation curves showed significant differences between the upper and lower samples, suggesting that the ascending platelets show ex vivo hyperaggregability. Electron and atomic force microscopy revealed that platelets in the upper samples were larger in volume and contained more alpha granules than platelets in the lower samples. Subsequently, antisedimentation can be used to differentiate platelet populations based on their structural and functional properties; thus, it may be a promising biomarker for various thromboinflammatory disorders.</p