Clinical, hematological and genetic data of a cohort of children with hemoglobin SD

Introduction The hemoglobin FSD is very uncommon in newborn screening programs for sickle cell disease. In the program of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the clinical course of children with hemoglobin SD was observed to be heterogeneous. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence (1999­2012) and to describe the natural history of a cohort of newborns with hemoglobin SD. Methods Isoelectric focusing was the primary method used in newborn screening. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and gene sequencing were used to identify mutant alleles and for haplotyping. Gap-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect alpha-thalassemia. Results Eleven cases of hemoglobin S/D-Punjab and eight of Hb S-Korle Bu were detected. Other variants with hemoglobin D mobility were not identified. All hemoglobin D-Punjab and hemoglobin Korle Bu alleles were associated with haplotype I. Among the children with hemoglobin S/D-Punjab, there were four with the ßS CAR haplotype, six with the Benin haplotype, and one atypical. Results of laboratory tests for hemoglobin S/D-Punjab and hemoglobin S-Korle Bu were: hemoglobin 8.0 and 12.3 g/dL (p-value <0.001), leukocyte count 13.9 × 109/L and 10.5 × 109/L (p-value = 0.003), reticulocytes 7.5% and 1.0% (p-value <0.001), hemoglobin F concentration 16.1% and 6.9% (p-value = 0.001) and oxygen saturation 91.9% and 97% (p-value = 0.002), respectively. Only hemoglobin S/D-Punjab children had acute pain crises and needed blood transfusions or hydroxyurea. Those with the Benin ßS haplotype had higher total hemoglobin and hemoglobin F concentrations compared to the CAR haplotype. Transcranial Doppler was normal in all children. Conclusion The clinical course and blood cell counts of children with hemoglobin S/D-Punjab were very similar to those of hemoglobin SS children. In contrast, children with hemoglobin S-Korle Bu had clinical course and blood cell counts like children with the sickle cell trait.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a case series of a Brazilian institution

Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children treated at a referral institution. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out of seven children diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis between 2010 and 2012. The criteria for diagnosis were those proposed by the Histiocyte Society. When indicated, immunochemotherapy was prescribed according to the HLH94 and HLH2004 protocols of the Histiocyte Society. Results: The patients' ages at diagnosis ranged from one month to nine years. All patients had splenomegaly, fever, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperferritinemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Bone marrow hemophagocytosis was detected in six patients. In six cases, infectious diseases triggered the syndrome. In two cases, associated with visceral leishmaniasis, remission was achieved after treatment of the underlying infection. Three patients, who had Epstein–Barr-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, required treatment with immunochemotherapy. They are alive and in remission; one patient had symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and another, who was suspected of having primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, entered into remission after bone marrow transplantation. Two deaths (28.6%) occurred in patients with suspected primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; one whose clinical picture was triggered by cytomegalovirus infection did not respond to immunochemotherapy and the other died before any specific treatment was provided. Conclusion: As reported before, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has a multifaceted presentation with nonspecific signs and symptoms. In secondary forms, remission may be achieved by treating the underlying disease. In the primary forms, remission may be achieved with immunochemotherapy, but bone marrow transplantation is required for cure...