Importance of CD71+ Erythrocyte Cell Levels in Prognosis in Patients With ß-Thalassemia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: CD71+ erythroid cells (CECs) are immature red blood cells (proerythroblasts, erythroblasts, and reticulocytes). CECs play an important role in the development of sepsis and cancer by causing immunosuppression. We examined the CEC levels in the peripheral blood of beta thalassemia (ßThal) patients and investigated the relationship between CECs and the clinical status of the patients, especially splenectomy. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with ßThal (46 splenectomized and 22 nonsplenectomized) and 15 healthy controls were included in this study. The hemogram parameters, ferritin, and CECs (flow cytometry method) were measured. RESULTS: It was observed that the CEC level in the patient group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). CEC levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with splenectomy than in patients with nonsplenectomy (p < 0.05). CEC levels were higher in patients with nontransfusion-dependent ßT (NTD-ßThal) than in patients with transfusion-dependent ßT (TD-ßThal) (p < 0.05). CEC levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with splenectomy than in patients with nonsplenectomy in both TD-ßThal and NTD-ßThal groups (p < 0.05). There was a moderate-negative correlation was detected between CECs and Hb levels (r = -0.467; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High CEC levels in ßThal patients develop as a result of ineffective erythropoiesis. We think that keeping CEC levels under control is important for prognosis, especially in patients with splenectomy.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with pesticides: A report of 4 cases and literature review.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a disease characterized by the presence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia, caused by the congenital or acquired decrease of the enzyme activity which degrades unusual large vWF multimers. There is no identifiable cause in half of the acquired TTP cases. Herein, we report four possible pesticide-related cases with decreased ADAMTS13 enzyme activity, increased titer of ADAMTS13 inhibitor and typical clinical and laboratory presentation.