Role of myeloperoxidase index in differentiation of megaloblastic and aplastic anemia.

BACKGROUND: Elevated neutrophil myeloperoxidase may have a role in the diagnosis of megaloblastic erythropoiesis. AIMS: To study the differentiating role of myeloperoxidase index in megaloblastic and aplastic anemia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The myeloperoxidase index (MPXI) was studied in 96 patients with megaloblastic and aplastic anemia diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: MPXI was measured with Technicon H1 (Bayer) automated analyzer. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to compare the MPXI values between groups. RESULTS: The mean MPXI in megaloblastics and aplastic anemia was 18.3 and 1.8 (p< 0.001) respectively. MPXI> 20 denoted megaloblastic and MPXI <-11.6 denoted aplastic anemia. CONCLUSION: MPXI measurement may assist differentiation of megaloblastic from aplastic anemia, while MPXI> 20 rules out aplastic and MPXI <-11.6 rules out megaloblastic anemia.

High frequency of acute promyelocytic leukemia in northwest Iran.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or M3 is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia, according to the French-American-British group classification. High frequencies of APL have been reported previously by many investigators. We here studied AML patients to determine the frequency of APL in Tabriz in northwest Iran. We reviewed 483 AML patients from 1996-2003. M2 and M3 cases accounted for 43.4% and 19.4% of the total, respectively. Our study thus provides further evidence of high frequencies of APL associated with geographical areas. Further studies should now be performed to evaluate genetic and environmental predisposing factors in Iran.