Minimal residual disease following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia

Fifteen patients with chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] were treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation [BMT] from an identical sibling in the period between February 1989 and October 1994 with a follow up period of 3-64 months. One patient was grafted in accelerated phase and died 6 months later. The other 14 patients are alive and well. All patients were Philadelphia chromosome positive pre- transplant by conventional karyotyping. Samples were obtained before BMT [whenever available] and post BMT at different intervals. A total of 41 samples were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT/PCR]. It was concluded that the results of the post BMT PCR assays for CML patients are in general agreement with the literature. This work emphasize the importance of giving DMCT in cases with a first round PCR assay or with 2nd round if there is any other evidence of possible impending relapse. The apparently high incidence of double splice b3a2/b2a2 in the cases needs further studies

Plasma cortisol, T3, T4 and immunoglobulins in allergic rhinitis

This work was performed in an attempt to evaluate the thyroid and adrenal cortex functions in nasal allergy, with assessment of humoral immune status. The study comprised two groups: the control group included 17 subjects and the allergic group included 20 patients of both sexes. A diural variation is detected in both T[3] levels, and T[3]/T[4] ratio controls. The diurnal is also present in allergic patients T[4] level and T[3]/T[4] ratio but not in T[3] level. The T[3] afternoon level is significantly higher in allergic patient, than thatof control group. Such finding could explain the worsening of allergic rhinitis by night and early morning. The T[4] levels are, however, non significantly different from those of the control group, both in the morning and the evening samples. The T[3]/T[4] ratio is significantly higher in allergic patients than in controls, both in the morning and evening. These findings denote that allergic rhinitis patients could be considered on the hyperthyroid side, which may be a factor in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Cortisol diurnal variation known to occur in normals is detected in both control and is preserved also, in allergic patients who show cortisol levels in the morning samples not significantly different from corresponding level in controls. However, the evening samples is significantly higher, which could be attributed to the state of stress and nervousness met with in the evening. The immunoglobulin changes in allergic rhinitis are variable. IgG and IgA mean levels show insignificant increase, while IgM and IgE mean levels show significant increase compared to controls