HAEMATOLOGY Smear microscopy revision Smear microscopy revision: propositions by the GFHC

Abstract Despite the development of automated haematology analysers for reliable blood counts, examining blood smears under the microscope is still indispensable for confirming results when the data the analyser obtains are qualitatively or quantitatively abnormal. Although most criteria that lead to blood smear examination are widely recognised and used in laboratories, a multicentre survey indicates that they are still highly heterogeneous. To contribute to the harmonisation and standardisation of essential cellular haematology practice within the context of laboratory accreditation, the GFHC reviewed in detail the criteria used within the CBC to generate blood smears and has decided on a number of minimum recommendations. The conclusions presented in this article are based on a 'strong professional consensus', defining threshold values and various situations in which the blood smear review is desirable. They are presented as minimum recommendations for technical verification and biological validation. All laboratories are free to use more restrictive thresholds based on their patient populations

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for de novo erythroleukemia: a study of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT).

Item does not contain fulltextDe novo erythroleukemia (EL) is a rare disease. Reported median survival are poor and vary from 4 to 14 months. The value of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for EL is unknown. This EBMT registry study reports on the largest series of patients with EL treated with HSCT in first complete remission-103 autologous and 104 HLA identical sibling allogeneic HSCT. Outcome and identification of prognostic factors for each type of transplantation were evaluated. For autologous HSCT, outcome at 5 years showed a leukemia-free survival (LFS) of 26% +/- 5%, a relapse incidence (RI) of 70% +/- 6%, and a transplant-related mortality (TRM) of 13% +/- 4%. By multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor was age. For allogeneic HSCT, outcome at 5 years showed an LFS of 57% +/- 5%, an RI of 21% +/- 5%, and a TRM of 27% +/- 5%. By multivariate analysis, prognostic factors were graft-versus-host disease and age. This study represents the largest series of de novo EL treated with HSCT and shows that allogeneic HSCT is by far the most effective treatment

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for de novo erythroleukemia: a study of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)

De novo erythroleukemia (EL) is a rare disease. Reported median survival are poor and vary from 4 to 14 months. The value of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for EL is unknown. This EBMT registry study reports on the largest series of patients with EL treated with HSCT in first complete remission-103 autologous and 104 HLA identical sibling allogeneic HSCT. Outcome and identification of prognostic factors for each type of transplantation were evaluated. For autologous HSCT, outcome at 5 years showed a leukemia-free survival (LFS) of 26% +/- 5%, a relapse-incidence (RI) of 70% +/- 6%, and a transplant-related mortality (TRM) of 13% +/- 4%. By multivarlate analysis, the only prognostic factor was age. For allogeneic HSCT, outcome at 5 years showed an LFS of 57% +/- 5%, an RI of 21% +/- 5%, and a TRM of 27% +/- 5%. By multivariate analysis, prognostic factors were graft-versus-host disease and age. This study represents the largest series of de novo EL treated with HSCT and shows that allogeneic HSCT is by far the most effective treatment. (C) 2002 by The American Society of Hematology