JAK2 V617 mutation triggers erythropoiesis and patients present with good hemoglobin level in idiopathic myelofibrosis [IMF]

To document the impact of JAK2 mutation on hemoglobin [Hb] level in patients with IMF. Thirty five patients were studied out of which 19 were JAK2 positive and 16 were JAK2 negative. Sample collection technique was purposive non-probability sampling. Variations were observed among the studied JAK2 positive and JAK2 negative patients regarding hemoglobin level. In JAK2 positive and negative patients mean hemoglobin level was 10.6g/dl and 8.6g/dl respectively [p=0.29]. Due to the better hemoglobin level, patients with JAK2 mutation have less transfusion requirements and are partially protected against severe anemias compared to patients with no mutation.

Blood transfusion reaction: In obstetrical and gynaecological practice

To determine the frequency of reaction with whole blood transfusion in obstetrics and gynecology practice. Descriptive study. The study was carried out from January 2011 to December 2011, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit-Ill, Services Institute of Medical Sciences / Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 300 patients who had whole blood transfusions were included. All transfused patients were kept under observation for 6 hours. Post transfusion reactions [signs and symptoms] were noted half hourly. Post-transfusion reactions were observed in 43 [14.4%] out of 300 patients. Post transfusion reactions were further categorized into reactions fever [n=23, 7.7%], rashes [n=14, 4.7%], shortness of breath [n=4, 1.3%] and hypotension [n=2, 0.7%].It can be concluded that post transfusion reactions are common in obstetrics and gynecology practice. However, with appropriate precautions, before and during blood transfusions, the post-transfusion reactions can be minimized