Plasma cell leukemia: A retrospective study of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare aggressive variant of multiple myeloma (MM) characterized by a fulminant course and poor prognosis. Flow cytometry (FCM) is very useful in the diagnosis of the plasma cell leukemia. Herein, we present 10 cases of PCL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied immunophenotypic profile of 10 cases of PCL from Jan 2009 to Dec 2013 using 5 parameters, 6 color flow cytometric analysis. We also studied their clinical presentation and other laboratory findings. RESULTS: Common clinical features at presentation were weakness, bone pain, anemia, thrombocytopenia and osteolytic lesions. Plasma cell population were identified by strong expression of CD38 and co‑expression of CD38 and CD138. CD56 was expressed in 20% cases. CD19 and CD117 were negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Immunophenotyping is highly useful to differentiate PCL from other chronic lymphoproliferative disorders with plasmacytoid morphology as well as from non‑neoplastic reactive plasma cells. Co‑expression of CD38 and CD138 is a best combination to identify the plasma cells by using FCM.

Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety profile of three anti-tuberculous regimens in Mangalore.

The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy & safety profile of three different antituberculous regimens for pulmonary tuberculosis. The study sample size included 90 newly diagnosed, sputum positive patients of pulmonary. tuberculosis. 30 each from different groups. The parameters studied were, therapeutic efficacy included weight gain, cough, sputum examination and safety profile: nausea, vomiting, anorexia, gastritis, hepatitis, jaundice diarrhoea, rashes, dizziness, tingling & numbness, flu like symptoms & joint aches. Group-I showed statistically significant weight gain when compared to Group-II. Improvement in cough and conversion to smear negative were seen in 100% of patients in Group-I, 83.3% of patients in Group-II and 93.3% of patients in Group-III. Therapeutic efficacy was highest with Group I regimen, followed by Group III and Group II which was least efficacious. Group II also registered; the maximum cost and highest incidence of adverse effects.