Autoimmune hemolytic anemia during interferon-beta-I b treatment for multiple sclerosis.

A 31-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS), treated with interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) for two years, presented with fatigue and dizziness. Coombs' positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) was found. Other potential etiologies of AIHA were ruled out. An association with IFNB-1b was highly suspected. Interferon therapy was discontinued and prednisone therapy instituted. There was resolution of the hemolytic anemia, and prednisone therapy was tapered gradually. To the best of our knowledge, there is no reported case of the development of AIHA associated with IFNB-1b use in MS patients. We conclude that if an unexplained drop in hematocrit occurs with a MS patient receiving IFNB-1b, autoimmune mediated hemolysis should also be considered.

The relation between plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and disease activation in acute myeloblastic leukaemia patients.

Coagulation and fibrinolytic abnormalities are common in patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) like other forms of leukaemias. In this study, we investigated if total plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity, which is believed to increase in initial diagnosis and relapse in AML patients could be accepted as a relapse criterion or not. Total of 34 AML patients and 18 healthy volunteers were included in this study. The patients' diagnosis were based on clinical criteria as well as morphological, cytochemical, immunuphenotypic examinations of peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens. Total PAI activity was measured with Dade Behring Bericrom PAI reagent in BCS system. Total PAI activity was higher than 3.5 U/ml in 11 AML patients while it was normal (0.3-3.5 U/ml) in control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in total PAI activity between AML subgroups (P > 0.05). We found significant difference in total PAI activity between patients who have active disease and remission. In conclusion, the total PAI activity could be accepted as a relapse and an initial diagnosis criterion of AML patients during follow up.

Effect of pinealectomy on immune parameters in rats with Staphylococcus aureus infection.

It is generally accepted that the pineal gland is a neuroendocrine organ. Several recent experiments have shown that the pineal gland has functional and anatomical connections, particularly with the immune system, and therefore the gland is now recognized as an important immunoneuroendocrine organ in both man and animals. The present study investigates the effect of pinealectomy on some immune parameters, including hematological alterations, and the response of the brain tissue against infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Experiments were performed on two different age groups of rats (neonatal and young). The results showed a significant reduction of the plasma zinc level in the third week following pinealectomy, impairment of the hematological parameters including lymphocyte, erythrocyte, and leucocyte, and the deficiency of the brain response to the infective agent, particularly in pinealectomized neonatal rats. In view of these data and as described previously, the pineal gland has a main regulatory function in immune physiology, but our study indicates that only neonatal immune functions are significantly affected by pinealectomy.