Does blood type have an effect on the course of COVID-19?

Introduction Predictive parameters that can affect the course of this infection have been the main topic of research since the beginning of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Since the discovery of blood groups, the effect of these on infectious diseases has always been of interest. Objectives To analyze the effect of ABO blood group on mortality, hospitalization duration and hematological and cytokine storm parameters in patients with COVID-19. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 140 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters including ABO blood group, complete blood count (CBC) parameters, biochemical tests, cytokine storm parameters, duration of hospitalization, and final status (discharge or death) were recorded. Results: The 140 patients included in the analysis comprised 72 (51.4%) males and 68 (48.6%) females with a mean age of 66.3±14.0 years. . Age and gender, hospitalization duration and mortality rates were similar in all blood group types. Only D-dimer levels were found to be higher in blood group A compared with other blood groups. Conclusion: Although no difference in mortality was determined between groups, the D-dimer level was statistically significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with A blood group. Larger studies are needed to reflect D-dimer levels on the clinical course of infection, and thus on daily practice

Single Centre Experience: Bening and Malign Hematological Patients with COVID-19

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were declared as pandemic by World Health Organization. With this study, we aimed to define our patients who were followed up with malign or benign hematological diagnoses and diagnosed with COVID-19; determine the distribution of this infection in patient groups and contribute to the literature by creating descriptive statistics with its clinical and demographic features. Patients and methods: It is planned to retrospectively examine patients with a history of COVID-19 who were followed up in Hematology Department of Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital with benign and malignant diagnoses. Results: 88 patients who had COVID-19 infection while being followed in our clinic due to hematological diseases were included in the study. 77 patients had been followed by hematologic malignancies and 11 patients had been followed by benign hematological disease.In the group with malignancy, COVID was found most frequently in patients diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (22%), nonhodgkin lymphoma (19%) and multiple myeloma (16%). ITP (64%) was the most common disease in patients with benign hematological disorder who had COVID history. 52 (67%) of the malignant cases and 8 (73%) of the bening cases were found to be followed up with the disease in remission. The all patient's most common symptoms at COVID-19 diagnosis were fever (77%), cough (70%) and weakness (65%). 45% of the patients were isolated at home, 48% were required hospitalization. 49% of patients had mild; 27% had moderate and 24% had severe COVID-19 infection. Almost all of the patients in the moderate and severe disease group were followed up in patients diagnosed with malignant hematological disease. 16 (18%) patients received mechanical ventilation and 16 (18%) patients was transferred intensive care unit. All of the patients who were intubated and needed intensive care were diagnosed with malignant hematological disease. 17 patients died due to COVID-19 infection. The mortality rate was 22% in patients with diagnosis of malignant hematological diseases, and 19% when all patients (malignant and bening) were included. Conclusion: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic is a problem all over the world. Determining the course of the disease in certain diagnostic groups is important in the management of both the main disease and the COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the contribution of such recording studies to the literature is important and valuable

A Real-Life Turkish Experience of Ruxolitinib in Polycythemia Vera

Introduction:Ruxolitinib is a small -molecule inhibitor of the JAK1/2 pathway. This study aimed to reveal the results and side-effect profile of the use of ruxolitinib as a treatment option in polycythemia vera (PV).Methods:A total of 34 patients with PV from 18 different centers were included in the study. The evaluation of the response under treatment with ruxolitinib was determined as a reduction in spleen volume (splenomegaly size: ≥35%) by imaging and control of hematocrit levels (≤45%) compared to baseline.Results:While the number of patients in which a reduction in spleen volume and hematocrit control was achieved was 19 (55.9%) at 3 months of treatment, it was 21 (61.8%) at 6 months. Additionally, while the number of side effects was negatively correlated with the reduction in spleen volume (Spearman’s rho: -0.365, p=0.034), a decrease in the hematocrit level was positively correlated (Spearman’s rho: 0.75, p=0.029). Those without a reduction in spleen volume experienced more constipation (chi-square: 5.988, Fisher’s exact test: p=0.033).Conclusion:This study shed light on the use of ruxolitinib in PV and the importance of splenomegaly on studies planned with larger patient groups

CD5 as a prognostic marker in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a multicenter study

© 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and comprises a heterogeneous group of disease. While classification of B-cell lymphomas has been evolving to include clonality in a specific manner, morphology, and immunohistochemistry remain the backbone. We aimed to evaluate the value of CD5 expression on disease characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with DLBCL. Data of 131 patients with DLBCL with CD5 positivity and as a comparison arm, data of 129 patients with DLBCL without CD5 positivity were evaluated. Mean age was 59 and 55.7% of the patients were male. Overall survival was 29.8 months. Poor prognostic factors including (high-LDH levels, B symptoms, low ECOG score, high R-IPI and NCCN-IPI score) were observed to be significantly related with CD5 positivity. Mean survival in CD5 positive patients were 29.8 months, which is significantly shorter than the general DLBCL survival worldwide. CD5 expression shall be evaluated in all samples of DLBCL patients due to its possible effects on outcomes