Recent Research Advance to Differentiate Portal Hypertension Associated with Primary Myelofibrosis and Cirrhosis --Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is easily confused with cirrhosis, due to its main clinical manifestations of splenomegaly and the blood cytopenia. This review focuses on clinical studies to identify primary myelofibrosis and cirrhosis related portal hypertension, to analyze the differences between the two diseases, in order to distinguish PMF and cirrhosis from the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and treatment principles, and simultaneously improve clinicians' understanding of PMF, which is a reference for exploring the early screening or diagnostic indicators of PMF, also provides a clinical basis for the application of new targeted drugs such as ruxolitinib.

Correlation between the values of circulating blood elements with the size of spleen in the presence of schistosomal splenomegaly

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate a possible relationship between the size of the spleen and values of circulating blood elements in patients with schistosomatic splenomegaly. Methods: ixty one patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni underwent a clinical exam and peripheral venous blood was collected for a hemogram. The erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, and platelet values were determined. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasound to measure the spleen. The hematological test results were compared to the size of the spleen. Results: The size of the spleen varied from 14.0 to 28.4 (19.9 ± 3.7) cm according to the ultrasound image. Thrombocytopenia was observed 58 (95%) patients, leukopenia in 55 (90%) patients, and anemia in 32 (52.4%) patients. Leukopenia was proportional to splenomegaly. Conclusion: Schistosomal splenomegaly leads to leukopenia in direct proportion to the size of the spleen.

Linfoma esplénico de zona marginal como causa de esplenomegalia masiva: reporte de caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Splenic marginal zone lymphoma as cause for massive splenomegaly: a clinical case and literature review

Massive splenomegaly is in the which the growth of the spleen has spread to other quadrants of the abdomen. It is produced by a limited number of pathologies, both benign and malignant. It is presented a case of a 62 year-old woman who is consulting for four years of progressive increase in her abdominal volume, associated to the feeling of abdominal fullness, dyspnea on moderate exertion and lower extremities edema. At the physical examination was observed massive splenomegaly and jaundice. The hemogram showed pancytopenia and a lymphocyte count of80 percent. The myelogram revealed marrow infiltration by lymphocytes of mature appearance. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood showed 70 percent of lymphocytes, which expressed B cells markers CD19, CD20, CD23and FMC7 in addition to Kappa light chain restriction, suggesting marginal splenic zone lymphoma. The bone marrow biopsy showed lymphoid small cells infiltrate with positive markers CD20, CD5,CD23 and negative cyclin D1 study. BCL-2 was also positive. It was considered unfit to receive chemotherapy and was treated with 4 cycles of rituximab, with significant decrease of splenic size.

JAK2-positive Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

The recent discovery of the JAK2 mutations has rekindled interest in the approach to classic BCR/ABL-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) in terms of both diagnostic evaluation and treatment. However, additional clinical, laboratory and histological parameters play a key role to allow diagnosis and subclassification, regardless of whether JAK2 V617F mutation is present or not. Here are two cases which incidentally presented with splenomegaly and moderate leukocytosis, and were diagnosed as MPN-primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in prefibrotic phase and polycythemia vera (PV), respectively, using revised World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 criteria.

Malformación de abernethy tipo 1: presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Type-1 abernethy malformation: a clinic case presentation and review of literature

Se presenta caso de preescolar masculino de 5 años con antecedente de hepatoesplenomegalia desde el año de vida, quien consultó con clínica de hematuria, se realizó ecografía abdominal con hallazgos: de imágenes hipoecoicas difusas en el parénquima hepático, dificultad para valorar el sistema porta, esplenomegalia. Eco Doppler del sistema venoso portal presencia de anomalía vascular portal, no se observo porta principal, se realizó Angiotac multicorte del sistema arterial venoso portal y mesenterico que confirmo Agenesia de la vena Porta. Se diagnóstico malformación de Abernethy tipo I. Las malformaciones del sistema venoso abdominal son alteraciones vasculares raras. El primer acontecimiento de la ausencia congénita de la vena porta viene dado por un shunt cava mesenterico, los shunts portocava (SPC), son malformaciones infrecuentes descritas por Abernethy en 1973, se clasifican en dos grupos según la presencia tipo (II) o ausencia de la vena porta tipo (I). La malformación de Abernethy tipo I usualmente se relaciona a otras anomalías congénitas tales como: defectos cardiacos, atresia de vías biliares y poliesplenia, más frecuentes en el sexo femenino; en varones puede no encontrarse anomalías congénitas asociadas...

A 5-year old preschool male case is presented, with antecedent hepatosplenomegaly since one year old, who attended clinic consult with haematuria; abdominal echography was performed with the following findings: diffuse hypoecoic images on liver parenchyma, difficulties to assess the portal system, splenomegaly. Echo-Doppler of portal vein system evidenced the presence of portal vascular abnormality, no main portal vein was observed. A Multislice CT Angiography of the mesenteric and portal arterial-venous system was performed, which confirmed portal vein agenesis. Type-I Abernethy Malformation was diagnosed. The abdominal venous system’s malformations are rare vascular disturbances. The first event expressed by the portal vein congenital absence is evidenced by a caval-mesenteric shunt. Porta-Caval Shunt (PC-Shunts) are uncommon malformations described by Abernethy in 1973 that are classified into two groups as per the presence -Type II- or the absence -Type I- of portal vein. Type-I Abernethy Malformation is usually connected with other congenital abnormalities such as: heart defects, biliary tract atresia, and polysplenia, which are more frequent in females. Associated congenital abnormalities could not be found in males...

Leucemia de células velludas en el embarazo: Caso clínico / Hairy cell leukemia during pregnancy: Report of one case

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B cell lymphoproliferative disorder that affects mostly men. It usually presents with pancytopenia, splenomegaly and bone marrow infiltration, without lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis is based on the presence of mononuclear cells with cytoplasmic projections in a blood smear, the typical bone marrow infiltration pattern and the immunophenotypic profile. HCL occurs seldom in young women and even more exceptionally during pregnancy. We report a 31-year-old woman in whom a splenomegaly was detected during routine prenatal care. Pancytopenia with 25 percent of hairy cells was found in her blood count. The patient was subjected to an open splenectomy and had an uneventful pregnancy. After two years of follow up, she has a normal blood count and has not required chemotherapy.

The Effect of CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotides with Different Backbone Structures and 3' Hexameric Deoxyriboguanosine Run Conjugation on the Treatment of Asthma in Mice

CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) has two backbones. Phosphorothioate backbone (PS) shows a strong immunostimulating effect while phosphodiester (PE) shows little in vivo. 3' hexameric deoxyriboguanosine-run (3' dG6-run) conjugation to PE CpG-ODN has been reported to enhance immunostimulation and to protect against asthma when injected at the time of sensitization in mice. We evaluated the treatment effects of PE and PS CpG-ODN with or without 3' dG6-run on asthma in presensitized mice. BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin and alum were challenged with 1% ovalbumin on three days. CpG-ODNs (100 microgram) or PBS were injected 4 times; 27 hr before challenge and 3 hr before each challenge (CpG-dG6: CpG-ODN with 3' dG6-run, PE*-CpG-dG6: PE-CpG-dG6 with two PS backbones at the 5' terminus). PE-CpG showed no treatment effect. PE-CpG-dG6 only increased ovalbumin-specific IgG2a. PE*-CpG-dG6 increased ovalbumin-specific IgG2a but also reduced BAL fluid eosinophils and airway hyperresponsiveness. PS-CpG increased ovalbumin-specific IgG2a, reduced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. PS-CpG-dG6 was less effective than PS-CpG on airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. In pre-sensitized mice, PE-CpG required not only 3' dG6-run but also the modification of two PS linkages at 5' terminus to inhibit features of asthma. PS-CpG was strong enough to inhibit asthma but PS-CpG-dG6 was less effective.

Anomalía de Pelger-Huet: reporte de un caso / Pelger-huet anomaly: a case report

La anomalía de Pelger-Huet se observa una limitación de la segmentación nuclear de los granulocitos. La anomalía fue descrita por primera vez por Pelger en 1928, quien consideró que constituía una manifestación de tuberculosis. Huet consideró que la anomalía sería hereditaria y se transmitiría en forma autonómica dominante. Los individuos afectados rara vez presentan neutrófilos o eosinófilos con más de dos lóbulos. En los heterocigotos, el núcleo de los neutrófilos es no segmentado, con forma de pesa o bilobulado. En los homocigotos, la gran mayoría de los neutrófilos presentan núcleos redondos. Esta anomalía afecta aproximadamente a uno de cada 6000 individuos. La migración celular puede estar levemente alterada, pero la función de los granulocitos es normal y los individuos con esta anomalía hereditaria no padecen efectos adversos. Se trata de Rn masculino quien a las pocas horas de vida presenta ictericia neonatal y dificultad respiratoria y hepatoesplenomegalia. Hallazgos paraclínicos incompatibilidad de grupo sanguíneo, reacción leucemoide 98000 globulos blancos, PCR (-), e hiperbilirrubinemia a predominio de la indirecta. Se indica fototerapia, Oxigeno, y antibioticoterapia a base de PNC, Amikacina y vancomicina, Se realiza serología para TORCHS la cual reporta negativa y valoración por hematología la cual reporta anomalía de Pelger-Huet. Se presenta este caso para dar a conocer la existencia de esta anomalía como causa de errores frecuenctes al momento de valorar la hematología en procesos infecciosos y no infecciosos, que reportan reacciones leucemoides. Es importante que tanto el médico tratante como el paciente, esten en conocimiento de esta anomalía sanguínea, para valorar de forma adecuada el hemograma en posteriores oportunidades.

Schistosoma mansoni associated mortaiity in Gezira: Determined by clinical and ultrasound examination

Schistosomiasis is the most common problem in Gezira area. The prevalence among school children could reach up to 90% in some villages. This study was conducted in a small village in the Gezira area in central Sudan. This part of the Gezira is well known for its high endemicity of Bilharzia. A total of 428 individuals were included in the study. All were examined clinically and by Ultrasoungraphy for spleen and liver. Stoll specimens were also taken from all the subjects and were examined for Schistosoma mansoni ova. The prevalence of schistosomasis was found to be 72% in males and 68 3% in females. It was also observed that the overall prevalence of splenomegaly on the examined subjects was 35.8%. Males recorded higher prevalence of splenomegaly [38.8%] compared to females [32.7%] [p =/< 0.05]. The observed prevalence of hepatomegaly was 12.6%., with high prevalence among males [13.1%] compared to females [11.2%]. Out of the 406 subjects examined by ultrasound, 266 [63.1%] were found to have evidence of periportal fibrosis. The hepatomegaly in the different grades1.2 and 3 are 12.6%, 3.8% and 0% respectively. It is clear from the above data that the size of the spleen increases while the size of the liver decreases with the severity of periportal fibrosis

Prolymphocytic leukaemia--report of three cases.

Prolymphocytic leukaemia is a rare subtype of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Three such cases were reported here along with clinical details. All these cases were seen in males above 5th decade. These patients showed moderate to massive splenomegaly, inconspicuous lymphadenoapthy in two cases and one with minimal lymphadenopathy. Peripheral smear showed high leukocyte count with more than 55% of prolymphocytes. Bone marrow aspiration showed diffuse involvement and in one with minimal lymphadenopathy, lymphnode aspiration showed prolymphocytes. All the three patients died within a year after diagnosis.

Isolated splenic lymphoma: an elusive preoperative diagnosis.

Four patients underwent splenectomy for various clinical and radiological diagnoses and were found to have primary splenic lymphoma at surgery and histology. The diagnosis was classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, mixed cellularity type (one case); marginal zone B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (one case); and large B cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (two cases). The first two patients had multiple nodules in the spleen measuring 0.1-0.5 cm while large cell lymphomas had large nodules (largest measuring 11 cm x 7 cm x 4 cm). The diagnoses were confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Mean follow up of these patients was 11 months; all patients received chemotherapy. One patient died, of causes not related to the disease process.

Valor de la escala de puntos para el diagnóstico de hepatitis autoinmune: experiencia de la Unidad de Hepatología del Hospital Vargas de Caracas desde enero de 1996 hasta marzo de 1997 / Is it useful the international score system for the diagnosis of autoinmune hepatitis

A 13 pacientes (P) con el diagnóstico (Dx) presuntivo de hepatitis autoinmune (HAI) les evaluamos las características clínicas y paraclínicas, les aplicamos el sistema de escala de puntos propuestos por el Grupo Internacional de Hepatitis Autoinmune (GH-HAI) que establece la certeza diagnóstica mediante una serie de parámetros clínicos, bioquímicos, e inmunológicos tanto de la historia clínica personal como familiar, antes y después de realizar la biopsia (Bx) hepática, con el objetivo de verificar la capacidad de diagnóstico de HAI mediante este sistema de puntaje. El rango etario comprendió desde 12 años (a) hasta 69 a con predominio del sexo femenino en el 84.61 por ciento. Los signos y síntomas más frecuentes fueron: debilidad, ictericia, y esplenomegalia. Para el momento de la Bx hepática (BxH) se encontró cirrosis en la histología en el 69,23 por ciento de los casos. La puntuación total mediante la escala sugerida por el GH-HAI ubicó el 12p el (61.54 por ciento) como Dx. Definitivo antes de la BxH y lo corroboró en el 92.3 por ciento posterior a está. La escala de puntos para el diagnóstico de hepatitis autoinmune es de gran valor clínico y corroboró el diagnóstico presuntivo en todos los casos, por lo cual sugerimos su uso rutinario en el diagnóstico y manejo terapéutico de los pacientes con HAI