Red blood cell alloimmunization among Saudi pregnent women in the central province of Saudi Arabia

To determine the incidence of alloimmunization among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia Prospective study King Khaled University, Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia One thousand one hundred and ninty five pregnant women The rates of alloimmunization among pregnant women subjects by analyzing the blood type of both mother and neonate The largest fraction of alloimmunization involved Rh antigens [52.38%], while other groups such as Kell and Duffy play a less common role. Alloantibodies identified fivety pesofalloantibodiesin addition to nonspecific-autoantibodies. The most frequent [52.38%] were against Rhesus 2.38%; Kell 2.38%; Duffy 2.38%; 4.76% were non-specificantibodiesand33.3%were autoantibodies. Alloimmunization are: anti-D 28.57%, anti-C 4.76% anti-E 14.28% and anti-e 4.76%; only one 2.38% developed anti-K; anti-Jk, one 2.38%; one had anti-Le 2.38%; there was one 2.38% with anti-Fy. 1.84% of the total number of study subjects were alloimmunized by antigens of Rh while 0.08% were alloimmunized to antigens either from Kell, Kidd, Lewis or Dufffy. The relative importance of antigens other than Rh D have increased since the introduction of Rh D prophylactic treatment. Alloimmunization to E, c and Kell antigens can reach significantproportionsofstudied populations and can result in deleterious effects on fetus. The actual risk of alloantibody production during pregnancy is unknown but stimuli for antibody production are feto-maternal bleeds that occur throughout pregnancy

Sensitization to allergens among patients with allergic rhinitis in warm dry climates

To investigate sensitization to aeroallergens, animal dander, house dust mite [HDM] and mould in adult patients with allergic rhinitis without previous history of treatment in warm dry climates. Prospective study. ENT clinic Alflah International Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sera were screened for specific IgE by using an immunoblot assay to twenty allergens namely: alder, birch, hazel, mixed grasses, rye, mugwort, plantain, oak; cat, dog, horse, guinea pig, golden hamster, rabbit; pteronyssinus farinae, alternata, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus. Specific IgE antibodies were detected in 29/42 [69%] of all the subjects. The sensitization rate was highest for pollen while results for other allergen groups are as follows: pollen 86/127 [66.9%], animal dander 29/127 [22.8%], HDM 11/127 [8.6%] and moulds 2/127 [1.6%]. Among allergenic pollen, mixed grasses were the most common cause of sensitization 14/127 [11.0%]. Sensitization rate to cat and dog danders are 12/127 [9.4%] and 10/127 [7.9%], while dander from horse 4/127 [3.1%], guinea pig 1/127 [0.8%] and golden hamster 2/127 [1.6%] caused lower rates of sensitization. Pteronyssinus and farinae are the most prevalent indoor sensitizers 4/127 [3.1%] and 7/127 [5.5%]. Sensitization to mould is relatively rare 2/127 [1.6%]. The results show that even in warm climates, pollen, animal dander and HDM allergens may be important sensitizing allergens. Pollens of local horticultural plants are the main sensitizing allergens among these patients. The practice of greening the country seems to contribute to increased rates of allergic sensitization of persons prone to allergic rhinitis. Local environmental and genetic factors are probably involved in the pathogenesis of the disease

T-cell subset abnormalities in multiple myeloma

To assess the changes in T-celI subsets in multiple myeloma and effects of exposure to chemotherapy as well as the possibility that altered T-cell numbers could influence clinical features, particularly the degree of immune paresis. 57 specimens of peripheral blood, 36 specimens of bone marrow aspirate from patients with multiple myeloma in an unselected population, as well as age-matched healthy control subjects, were evaluated for CD4, CD8 and CD4:CD8 ratio by utilise flow cytometry The disturbances of the proportions and numbers of blood and marrow CD4 and CD8 cells were found in myeloma. These changes were present at diagnosis, but were also influenced by disease status. An interesting association between low CD4 count in peripheral blood and severe immune paresis was noted. Further study of T-cell subsets at diagnosis as a possible prognostic factor is warranted

Plasma cell associated markers CD38, PCA-I, M681 and Ki67

We analysed plasma cell associated markers in peripheral blood smears and bone marrow samples in subjects with multiple myeloma by flow cytometry to identify a suitable marker for plasma cells. PC A-1 and M68-1 appear to be useful markers of myeloma cells in bone marrow. More importantly, there is an excess of cells marking with these antibodies, as well as CD38 positive cells, in the peripheral blood in multiple myeloma. Further investigation directed at the identification of the nature of these myeloma-associated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their behaviour in relation to disease status is indicated and, as peripheral blood sampling is much more acceptable than repeated bone marrow examination, clinically useful information could perhaps be obtained using such an approach