Kuwait bone marrow transplantation activities

Kuwait is located in the Arabian Gulf and has a population of 3.5 million. The stem cell transplantation program started in 2000. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation started first, as it was easier technically to establish. In 2011, the allogeneic program started with focus on acute leukemia and hemoglobinopathies. The success of both programs required teamwork and support of health planners. The Kuwait National Bone Marrow Registry was established in 2012. The issue of donor availability and drug shortage remain the two main obstacles for expanding the bone marrow transplantation program

Frequency of red blood cell alloantibody in Kuwaiti population

The aim of this study was to analyze the alloimmunization against red blood cells [RBC] among Kuwaiti population. Materials and Retrospective analysis of RBC alloimmunization among 179,045 Kuwaiti patients, pregnant women, and allogeneic blood donors was conducted for the period of 1992-2001. The frequency of 24 alloantibody specificities from 1,278 alloimmunized Kuwaitis was estimated. Flesults: The prevalence of positive antibody screen in Kuwait was 0.49%.The five most frequently identified alloantibodies were anti-D [27.3%], anti-E [18.5%], anti-K [15.6%], anti-Le[a] [8.7%], and anti-Le[b] [6.6%]. Frequency of alloimmunization was greater among Kuwaiti female than male patients [3.2 F to 1 M]. Anti-D [p < 0.001], anti-E [p = 0.05], anti-K [p = 0.04] were also more frequently identified alloantibody among Kuwaiti females. The results show higher predominance of RBC alloimmunization in females than males. Anti-D, anti-E, and anti-K were the most common clinically significant alloantibodies identified in the Kuwaiti population and were also more frequent among Kuwaiti females

Monoclonal gammopathy among patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in Kuwait and its association with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. Methodology: Serum protein electrophoresis and measurement of immunoglobulin levels were carried out prospectively in 100 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection. Among the 100 patients tested [82 males, 18 females; median age 45 years], 59 had polyclonal band in serum protein electrophoresis while the other 41 had a normal pattern. None of the patients had monoclonal gammopathy. The mean serum immunoglobulin levels were: IgG 18.4 g/l [range 4-39], IgA 2.9 g/l [range 0.09-8] and IgM 1.6 g/l [range 0.14-6.08]. There was no evidence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with chronic HCV infection in Kuwait

Hodgkin's disease: Kuwait experience

To describe histologic subtypes, clinical presentation and treatment outcome of Hodgkin's lymphoma in Kuwait. Subjects and Method: Patients older than 15 years, diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma between 1980 and 1998, were included in this retrospective analysis. Data were collected using a standardized form that included demographics, histologic subtypes, clinical presentation, stage, extranodal involvement, treatment modality and follow-up. Histology reports were obtained from hospital records. There were 83 [59%] males and 57 [41%] females. Dominant histologic subtypes were nodular sclerosis 65 [46.4%] and mixed cellularity 42 [30%]. Constitutional symptoms were reported by 54 [38.6%] of the cases. Two thirds [64%] of the cases were advanced. Primary extranodular involvement included liver [8%], gastrointestinal tract [7%], lung and bone marrow [4% each]. Disease-free survival according to treatment groups were: radiotherapy alone 100%, chemotherapy alone 88%, and combined modality 65%. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall disease-free survival was 84%. In the cohort of 137 patients with Hodgkin's disease the treatment with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a remarkable outcome. However, evaluation of long-term treatment complications is needed