JAK2-V617F mutation in Moroccan patients with myeloproliferative disorders: contribution, diagnosis and therapeutic prospects.

AIMS: The JAK2 V617F is a recent discovery. The implication of this mutation in the pathogenesis of the myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) is currently confirmed. Our study is the first to be interested in the status of the JAK2 V617F mutation among myeloproliferative disorders patients in Morocco. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study focused on 70 non-CML MPD patients, attending several departments of hematology and internal medicine across Morocco. The mutation was detected by allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR). RESULTS: The V617F JAK2 mutation incidence in polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis are respectively 89.47%, 62.5% and 33.33%. The V617F JAK2 mutation was absent within the patients with secondary erythrocytosis or thrombocytosis. We also found that the patients carrying the mutation displayed a leucocytosis and higher levels of haemoglobin and hematocrit than mutation-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to assess the status of the JAK2 V617F mutation in patients with MPDs in Morocco. However, our data seem to confirm that the JAK2 V617F mutation is rather uncommon in myeloid malignancies other than the classical BCR/ABL MPD negative.

[Systemic lupus erythematosus and Epstein-Barr virus]. / Lupus et virus d'Epstein-Barr.

We determined the prevalence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 44 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 44 healthy blood donors matched for sex and age as controls. Of the cases, 39 were women; mean age was 33 years. Four cases (9%) and 5 controls (11%) were positive for IgM anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) (P = 0.9). All the cases were positive for IgG anti-VCA compared with 91% of the controls (P = 0.12). The mean immunity ratio for this antibody was 2.341 in cases and 1.873 in controls (P = 0.068). Forty (91%) cases were positive for IgG anti-EBNA1 (EB nuclear antigen1) compared with 42 (95%) controls (P = 0.6).

Determination of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid reference values in general Tunisian population.

We wish to determine the urinary trans,trans-muconic acid reference values in the Tunisian general population, and evaluate the impact of several factors (age, gender, tobacco...) on these reference values. Urine samples were collected from 182 healthy Tunisian subjects who had not been occupationally exposed to benzene. This determination was performed by solid phase extraction sampling technique together with high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector. Trans,trans-muconic values ranged from 0.003 to 0.618 mg/g creatinine, the 95% reference interval was: 0.004-0.36, and the 90% confidence interval of the upper reference limit was: 0.24-0.62 mg/g creatinine. Urinary trans,trans-muconic levels were significantly higher among smokers. Significant differences were also observed for the < 20 and the > or = 40 age groups. As a result urinary trans,trans-muconic background levels allow the biomonitoring of workers occupationally exposed to benzene at levels as low as 0.5 ppm. Age and tobacco, but not gender may affect the trans,trans-muconic reference values.

[Systemic lupus erythematosus and Epstein-Barr virus]

We determined the prevalence of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in 44 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and 44 healthy blood donors matched for sex and age as controls. Of the cases, 39 were women; mean age was 33 years. Four cases [9%] and 5 controls [11%] were positive for IgM anti-viral capsid antigen [VCA] [P = 0.9]. All the cases were positive for IgG anti-VCA compared with 91% of the controls [P = 0.12]. The mean immunity ratio for this antibody was 2.341 in cases and 1.873 in controls [P = 0.068]. Forty [91%] cases were positive for IgG anti-EBNA1 [EB nuclear antigen1] compared with 42 [95%] controls [P = 0.6]

[New container of sample: role in the reduction of bacterial contamination of standard platelet units]. / Nouveau container de prélèvement : rôle dans la réduction de la contamination bactérienne des unités plaquettaires standard.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of unstable blood products constitutes today the most frequent infectious risk transmitted by blood transfusion. Platelet concentrates are often incrimineted. As responsible germs are in general of cutaneous origin, a sample procedure with diversion of the first 20 ml during blood donation is studied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of this technique on bacterial contamination rate of standard platelet units prepared at the regional blood transfusion center in Casablanca. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A comparative study of two types of sample pockets is made: 500 Standard Platelet concentrates (CPS) are prepared after collection using standard triple bags (Baxter) (group 1) and 560 pockets of CPS were prepared after collection using triple bags with Sample Diversion Pouch sampling system for elimination of the first 20 ml of donation (Macopharma and Terumo) (group 2). The skin was disinfected in two times with alcohol 70%. The bacteriological study was made in the two groups at the third day of conservation. RESULTS: Six CPS of group 1 were contaminated, of which five were staphylococci coagulase negative and one bacillus sp. Six CPS of group 2 were contaminated, of which five were staphylococci coagulase negative and one staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria isolated were those of cutaneous flora at 100%. Diversion of first 20 ml of blood donation results in a 16.6% reduction in bacterial contamination of CPS (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The non-significant reduction in the prevalence of the bacterial infection of CP formulates the problem of the indication of the sampling devices with derivation of first 20 ml during blood collection.

[Uterine leiomyoma in a patient with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. Report of a case]. / Léiomyome utérin sur syndrome de Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser. A propos d'un cas.

We report the discovery of a leiomyoma which developed from a fibrous myometrial band in a woman with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. This localization is exceptional. The diagnosis was suspected at physical examination and pelvic ultrasonography and laparoscopy. Histology confirmed leiomyoma.

[Obstetrical complications of adenomyosis. Literature review and two case reports]. / Les complications obstétricales de l'adénomyose. Revue de la littérature, à propos de 2 observations.

Adenomyosis of the uterus is a frequent disorder often associated with pregnancy. Diagnosis is difficult during pregnancy and usually is made after an obstetrical complication. In a review of the literature from 1904 to 1994, only 31 cases of obstetrical complications related to adenomyosis have been reported. We report two cases revealed by obstetrical complications: one causing spontaneous rupture of the uterus during labor in a primiparous woman and the other with cornual ectopic pregnancy diagnosed, due to an episode of massive intraperitoneal bleeding.