Journal of Blood & Lymph

Medical records of 73 patients with AML who underwent HCT, 2005-2011. The OS was 51.8% and the EFS were 48%. Median follow-up time for the cohort was 50.667 ± 2.4 months (95%CI: 45.9-55.4). 39 patients were alive with a median follow-up time of 50.1 months (Min: 1.8, Max: 111.8). Sixteen patients survived for more than 5 years (Min: 65.2, Max: 111.8 months). The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD was 6.8 ± 2.9 and of chronic GVHD was 9.9 ± 3.6. Median time to ANC and platelet recovery was 16 days (range 9-37) and 29 days (range 15-180) respectively. Three patients acquired CMV infection after transplant. There was a significant impact of patient’s age at diagnosis on the overall survival (Infantile: 100%, others: 45.6% ± 6.4%, P=0.016) and event free survival (Infantile: 100%, others: 40.6% ± 7.1%, P=0.013). Percentage of blasts at transplant, patients or donors gender, donor source and HLA disparity did not significantly affect OS or EFS.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the risk factor for infusion related reaction (IRR) due to the rituximab treatment in patients with B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted the newly diagnosed B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients who have received rituximab contained chemotherapy. Several factors with cytokines in patients were calculated. A P value <0.05 is significant. Results: 18 patients were included in the analysis. Most of patients were diffuse large B cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma. Six patients had a IRR. TNF-α, IL6, IL8, sIL-2R, pre-administration of prednisolone were not observed significant differences. B symptom, CRP, gender was showed the significant differences in this analysis (B symptom: P=0.0139, gender: P=0.014, CRP: P=0.0354). Conclusion: B symptom, CRP, and gender might be important risk factors of the occurrence of IRR. Specific cytokines were not correlation with the IRR. Careful observation for IRR during rituximab administration is necessary for B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with B symptoms, and CRP positive patients.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive inheritance disorder that affects the beta-globin gene and results in the replacement of the amino acid glutamic acid by valine in the β chain of the hemoglobin molecule, producing erythrocytes with defective forms and functions. A range of pathological conditions is associated with SCD, however, one in particular stands out by gravity. Acute thoracic syndrome (STA), characterized by the presence of pulmonary infiltrates associated with a clinical symptom such as chest pain, cough, wheezing, tachypnea and fever, is considered a leading cause of death in patients with sickle cell disease. Early diagnosis and introduction of an effective approach to complication are needed to improve outcomes and minimize associated morbidity and mortality.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is mostly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) while IM by cytomegalovirus (CMV) is rather rare. In our retrospective clinical research with multiplex virus PCR analysis, we encountered 6 cases of CMV-IM and analyzed the clinical characteristics including diagnostic problems. The diagnosis of CMV-IM was made when the CMV genome was solely detected from the patient’s peripheral blood by multiplex virus PCR analysis. Then viral load was determined by quantitative PCR. Viral serological examinations were performed by a laboratory company as routine laboratory tests. Specific PCR signal for CMV genome was obtained by multiplex virus PCR in 6 patients, and blood CMV load ranged from 102 to 104 copies/mL. Clinical pictures and laboratory findings of these patients with CMV-IM were similar to those of EBV-IM in terms of fever, fatigue, morphology and number of atypical lymphocyte, and liver dysfunction. On serological examination, an IgM antibody against CMV was positive in all 6 patients; however, a VCA-IgM antibody against EBV was also positive in all patients examined, compromising serological differential diagnosis of IM. To make an exact diagnosis of CMV-IM, direct detection of the virus genome is important, and our multiplex virus PCR assay may be very useful in terms of quick performance and good specificity

We are reporting the case of a 61 year old male patient with a medical history of pancreatic cancer on chemotherapy presenting a uremic hemolytic syndrome after the administration of gemcitabine. The renal function progressively worsened during his stay in spite of general measures and steroids, leading to the death at day 12 of admission.

Introduction: Blood is essential for life. It contains cellular component and plasma which supplies oxygen, nutrients to different parts of the body. Transfusion of blood and blood components is an integral part of health care practice. Many a times there will be injudicious use of blood and its products among patients which causes unnecessary burden to the patients as well to blood bank. Main aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern utilization of blood and blood components in Karnataka institute of medical sciences. Materials and methods: This was retrospective study carried out over a period of 1 year from January 2015 to December 2015. Necessary data were collected from blood bank registers. Results: Total blood units collections were 13,378. Units utilized were 12,555. Whole blood was the most utilized product followed by PRBC, FFP and least utilized product was platelet concentrates. Gynaecological wards were the Major benefited from the blood supply in this study. Conclusion: Formulation of strict guidelines for transfusion practices will improve the appropriate use of precious resource. Periodic evaluation of utilization pattern, demand for different blood products also helps to maintain the blood stock.