Effect of the Leukostop filter on pulmonary function following blood transfusion in patients with thalassemia major.

This study evaluated the effect of the Leukostop filter, a device which reduces the number of leukocytes in blood, on pulmonary function in 15 patients with thalassemia major. Spirometry and oxygen saturation were used to evaluate the influence of filtering the blood. The transfusions consisted of blood which had or had not passed through a Leukostop filter. Blood transfusion induced a significant drop in FEV(1)/FVC ratio in 4 patients, an effect which disappeared following use of the Leukostop filter. Oxygen saturation improved after 6 months of using the Leukostop filter and improved acutely following blood transfusion (both with and without the filter). We conclude that removing most of the leukocytes from the blood during transfusions prevents bronchoconstriction and improves oxygen saturation.

Orosomucoid (ORM1) polymorphism in Arabs and Jews of Israel: more evidence for a middle eastern origin of the Jews.

A study of 8 Israeli population groups for the ORM1 polymorphism included 1242 serum samples: 156 samples from Arab Moslems, 139 from Arab Druzes, and 947 from 6 Jewish groups. The two most frequent alleles in Europeans and Asians, ORM1*F1 (ORM1*1) and ORM1*S (ORM1*2) were found in Jews and Arabs at frequencies similar to those in Europe. Unique to Arab and Jewish populations were polymorphic frequencies of two ORM1 slow electrophoretic variants, designated ORM1*S1 and ORM1*S2. These were formerly observed only in Europe, where two individuals with *S1 and two with *S2 have been observed so far. The Chueta community of converted Majorcan Jews is the only previously studied group that, like the other studied Jewish groups, has polymorphic frequencies of both ORM1*S1 and ORM1*S2. In this study we associate the Chuetas with the Israeli groups, as a population of Middle Eastern origin. Published data on ORM1 in Europe and East Asia together with the present data, making a total of 47 populations, were subjected to a discriminant analysis that resulted in a correct classification of 93.6% of the populations. Results of this analysis suggest that ORM1 is a useful polymorphic marker for anthropological studies.

Diagnostic value of late cutaneous response to Casoni test in patients operated for echinococcus cyst.

Thirty-eight patients with confirmed Echinococcus cysts were evaluated postoperatively. RAST as well as early and late skin responses to Echinococcus antigen were assessed. Early skin responses were positive in most of the patients even 10 years or more postoperation. Late skin responses were positive in 42% of the patients, and the younger the patient, the greater the likelihood of occurrence. In patients who had late skin responses, the reactions were similar at 4 to 8 and 24 hours following the antigen. These results suggest that late skin responses seen at 24 hours are part of the immediate hypersensitivity reaction to the antigen.

Blood transfusion and lung function in children with thalassemia major.

Pulmonary function tests were performed at rest and following blood transfusion on 17 patients with thalassemia major. At rest, diffusion capacity was significantly reduced (mean of 57 percent), and forced vital capacity was mildly reduced (mean of 85 percent). In two of the patients, arterial oxygen tension was low. Other pulmonary function results were in the normal range. Following blood transfusion, a significant drop was seen in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2 of 22 mm Hg) and in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 32 percent. These changes were dramatic and require further explanation.