[Iron deficiency anemia in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Case report].

Rendu-Osler-Weber disease or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disease. It is characterized by vascular dysplasia with the formation of telangiectasias on the skin, mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive tracts, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the internal organs, which is manifested by bleeding. Diagnosis is based on Curacao criteria: recurrent and spontaneous nosebleeds, multiple telangiectases on the characteristic localizations, AVMs in one or more of the internal organs, a family history of HHT (i.e. first-degree relative who meets these same criteria for definite HHT). Therapy is aimed at preventing and stopping gastrointestinal, nosebleeds, correction of iron deficiency anemia. A promising method of therapy is the use of angiogenesis inhibitors, in particular bevacizumab. The article presents a description of a clinical case of HHT in a 49-year-old woman with telangiectisia on the mucous membrane of the tongue, gastrointestinal tract and liver AVMs.

[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with mesenteric teratoma]. / Autoimmunnaia gemoliticheskaia anemiia, assotsiirovannaia s teratomoi bryzheiki tonkoi kishki.

The paper describes a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in a 27-year-old woman whose examination revealed mesenteric teratoma. AIHA was characterized by a hypertensive crisis and a temporary response to corticosteroid therapy that was complicated by the development of somatogenic psychosis and discontinued. A relapse of hemolysis developed 6 months later. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy and removal of mesenteric root teratoma. Immediately after surgery, a hematological response was obtained as relief of hemolysis and restoration of a normal hemoglobin level. There is a sustained remission of AIHA for the next 16 months.

Expansion of CD8+ cells in autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare blood disease associated with the production of auto-antibodies and autoimmune hemolysis. A critical role of B-cells in the development of AIHA has been demonstrated before. Here, we present the analysis of the clonal T-cell populations in patients with AIHA. Thirty-three patients with AIHA were included in this study. Thirteen patients with other anemias, 14 patients with other autoimmune conditions (SLE - 6, RA - 8) and 20 healthy donors were included in the study as a control group. The clonality of T-cell was evaluated by the assessment of the T-cell receptor gamma and beta chain gene rearrangements (TCRG and TCRB). The incidence of T-cell monoclonality detected in patients with AIHA was significantly higher compared to the control group. The persistence of T-cell clones did not correlate with the level of hemoglobin and other signs of remission or relapse and did not disappear after the therapy and clinical improvement (observation period was between 1 and 10 years). There was no correlation between the T-cell clonality and the gender, age, splenectomy, duration or severity of the disease. Fractionation of T-lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+25+) revealed that the monoclonal T-cells belonged to the CD8+ sub-population. We assume that besides a possible causative role of the T-cell clones in AIHA to autoimmune process, these clones do not directly participate in the development and maintenance of hemolysis. Most of the AIHA patients (48.5%) demonstrated a T-cell monoclonality, which requires monitoring and should be distinguished from T-cell tumors.

Eculizumab effect on the hemostatic state in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by a hypercoagulable state associated with acute hemolysis. Eculizumab is used to reduce the intensity of intravascular hemolysis in PNH patients. The hemostatic status of three patients with PNH was assessed during eculizumab treatment by D-dimer assay and the global assays: thromboelastography (TEG), thrombin generation test (TGТ), and thrombodynamics (TD). In the state of hemolytic crisis before the therapy D-dimer concentration was increased in two patients accompanied by hypercoagulation changes in TEG parameter angle (α). TD parameter the clot growth velocity (V) revealed hypercoagulability while TGT parameter ETP was within the normal range in all patients. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity decreased during the 8months of eculizumab therapy. The physical health was improved, the frequency of hemolytic crisis decreased. Patients periodically exhibited hypercoagulable state: the mean values α=38±11° (with normal range 20-40°), ETP=1311±442nM·min (with normal range 800-1560nM·min), V=31±4µm/min (with normal range 20-29µm/min). During the eculizumab therapy two patients had the repeated clinical manifestation of acute hemolytic crisis, the parameters of the global tests were increased compared to the previous measurement. The global hemostasis tests TEG, TGT and TD revealed hypercoagulability in patients with PNH during eculizumab therapy.

[The method of analysis of distribution of erythrocytes by density: practical guidelines].

The article describes the phthalate method of analysis of distribution of erythrocytes by density and demonstrates its possibility. The distribution of erythrocytes by density is implemented using centrifugation of blood in micro-hematocrit capillaries in presence of compounds of dimethyl- and dibuthylphthalates of known density. The acquisition of such clinically reliable parameters of distribution of erythrocytes by density as mean density of erythrocytes, width of distribution of erythrocytes by density, light and heavy fraction of erythrocytes and maximum of curve of distribution of erythrocytes by density is described. The causes of deviation of distribution of erythrocytes by density from standard values under various pathological conditions are considered. The syndrome of dehydration of erythrocytes is described in details. The simple and accessible method of acquisition of distribution of erythrocytes by density is described. It is demonstrated that analysis of distribution of erythrocytes by density makes it possible to determine character of changes occurring with erythrocytes. The monitoring of parameters of distribution of erythrocytes by density allows evaluating dynamics of pathological process and effectiveness of therapy.

[The ratio between basic microelements (Fe, Cu, Zn) under anemia of different etiology].

The homeostasis of basic microelements (Fe, Cu and Zn) is ultimately important for normal functioning of organism. The article presents the data concerning the detection of these metals both in blood serum and urine of patients with anemia of different etiology. The indicators of excretion can provide additional information for diagnostics and needed therapy. The article describes in details simple colorimetric methods of detection of mentioned metals in urine. It is demonstrated that under anemia the positive balance of cuprum is noted. This occurrence can be a possible cause of coagulation complications.

Filtration method for studies of the kinetics of hypo-osmotic pore closure in erythrocyte.

Filterability of erythrocytes through small (3 µ) pores decreases with decreasing osmolarity of suspension medium because of hypo-osmotic swelling of cells. After appearance of lytic pores, erythrocyte filterability increases for some time, while after recovery of membrane integrity it decreases again. We suggest filtration method for studies of the kinetics of hypo-osmotic lytic pores closure. The dynamics of changes in erythrocyte filterability was studied in 2 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and 6 donors (Ht 0.01%, Na phosphate buffer 5 mM, pH 7.4, 35 mOsm, 24°C). The method can be used for studies of erythrocyte membrane characteristics in various diseases and for evaluation of the membranotropic effects of drugs, infusion media, hemolysins, ethanol, etc.

[A case of hemolytic-uremic syndrome with development of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: diagnosis and clinical tactics].

The paper describes a case of practically simultaneous development of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) complicated by mesenteric vessel thrombosis and small bowel necrosis. Multimodality treatment comprising volume plasmapheresis, fresh frozen plasma transfusion, hemodialysis, anticoagulant and disaggregant therapy could relieve thrombogenic events, such as pulmonary artery thromboembolism and intestinal necrosis.

[Study of bone marrow microvessel density is one of the diagnostic approaches in patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative diseases].

AIM: To define an association of bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) with histological properties (the magnitude of fibrosis and quantification of megakaryocytes (MGKC)) in patients with Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: MVD was analyzed in 93 patients with different forms of CMPD, by estimating histological parameters. True polycythemia (TP) was present in 28 patients; 20 patients had essential thrombocythemia (ET), 36 had subleukemic myelosis, out them 6 were in a prefibrotic stage, and 9 with diagnosed post-TP (ET) myelofibrosis. The grade of myelofibrosis was estimated from the degree of bone marrow fibrosis as 0, 1, 2, and 3 and the clusters of MGKC were in accordance with degrees: 0, 1, and 2. MVD was studied from the absolute number of CD34-positive vascular structures. RESULTS: In patients with TP, fibrosis was defined as grade 0 and 1 in 23 (82%) and 5 (18%) cases, respectively. The content of reticulin fiber was in the normal range in 19 (95%) of the 20 patients with ET. The clusters of MGKC of grades 1 and 2 showed an even distribution among patients with ET and those with TP. Fibrosis was absent in all the patients (n = 6) with prefibrotic-stage primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The patients with PMF had high MVD values [6.5 (range 2.8-22)] than those with TP [4.0 (range 1.76-10.2)] or ET [3.7 (range 2-8.5)] and the controls [3.2 (range 2-4.1)] (p < 0.001) confirming that angiogenesis is uninvolved at the onset of disease in patients with ET and those with TP. The patients with prefibrotic-stage PMF had higher values [6.0 (range 4.8-10.6)] than those with ET [3. 7 (range 2-8.5)] (p < 0.001). This suggests that angiogenesis is an early sign preceding the development of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow angiogenesis assessment (from MVD measurements) may be an additional criterion for the diagnosis of disease evolution and an additional criterion between ET and PMF in a prefibrotic stage.

[Density-specific distribution of erythrocytes in different types of anemia].

AIM: To study density-specific distribution of erythrocytes (DSDE) in different types of anemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DSDE was determined in anemic patients by fractionation of the whole blood in hematocritic capillaries in the presence of mixtures of dimethyl- and dibutylphthalates with known density. RESULTS: Parameters are proposed which characterize DSDE changes typical for each type of anemia: mean erythrocyte density (MED)--mean density of total erythrocytic population; DSDE width (W)--a characteristic of erythrocytic population heterogeneity; light fraction of erythrocytes (LEF)--% of the cells with density less than 1.086 g/ml (hypochromic cells and reticulocytes); dense fraction of erythrocytes (DEF)--% of cells with density over 1.112 g/ml (hyperchromic cells forming as a result of erythrocyte dehydration). DSDE parameters for different types of anemia differed: reduced MED was typical for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), increased DEF was seen in microspherocytic anemia (MSA), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA), deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, increased LEF was observed in reticulocytosis in all anemia types except MSA, DSDE W was larger in MSA, AHA, PNA. CONCLUSION: DSDE is determined by proportion of erythropoiesis and sequestration of erythrocytes as well as pathological impacts leading to impairment of membrane permeability for cations and erythrocytic metabolism. Informative value of DSDE parameters makes them effective for diagnostic screening of anemias and control over course of different diseases.

[Hyperhomocysteinemia--one of the factors underlying thrombotic complications in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases].

AIM: To assess incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD) and to analyse possible correlation between an elevated concentration of plasma homocystein (HC) and thrombotic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial enrolled 61 patients: 39 CMPD patients with thrombotic complications and free of them, 22 nonhematological patients with thrombosis. The control group consisted of 40 healthy donors. The examination protocol included determination with standard methods of HC plasma concentration, platelet and plasma components of hemostasis, mutation of factor V Leiden gene, prothrombin and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). RESULTS: Mean HC concentration in the serum in CMPD patients was 19 +/- 1.7 mcmol/l which appeared higher than in healthy donors (12 +/- 1.3 mcmol/l). The highest HC was in patients with subleukemic myelosis (SLM)--23 +/- 2.3 mcmol). No difference in HC concentration in plasma was observed in CMPD carriers of homo- or heteroxygous mutation of C667T gene or CMPD patients without the mutation. In CMPD content of factor VIII was higher in HHC than in normal HC (222 +/- 26.5 and 116 +/- 20%, respectively, p = 0.002). For von Willebrand factor 202 +/- 15.6 and 120 +/- 14.6%, respectively (p < 0.003). HC reduction in response to vitamin therapy was the greater the higher its initial level was. CONCLUSION: There is correlation between HHC and thrombosis in CMPD patients. HC concentration may depend on the proliferative stage of CMPD. As HC is a significant independent factor of thrombotic complications risk, it is necessary to detect and treat HHC.

[Chronic myeloproliferative diseases and pregnancy].

AIM: To analyse the course of pregnancy in chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD) with hyperthrombocytosis, primarily, essential thrombocytemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of thrombogenic risk factors covered literature data and 8 cases observed by the authors. RESULTS: Six pregnant women received long-term treatment with preparations of interferon-alpha in a dose 9-20 million IU a week (both before and during pregnancy). Rapid reduction of hyperthrombocytosis (1100-4000 x 10(9) l) and the absence of a negative effect on development of the fetus were seen in all the cases. Normal delivery on week 37-39 was in 4 patients, spontaneous abortion on week 24 was provoked by a car accident. Three gravidas (gestational week 28, 33 and 34) are still under observation. Lupus anticoagulant or elevation of anticardiolipin antibodies level was detected in 4 of 8 patients, 2 patients had heterozygous mutation of methylentetrahydrofolatereductase genes and factor V (Leiden). These patients were given lannacher, faxiparine, folic acid and discrete plasmapheresis (in 2 cases). CONCLUSION: Gravidas with hyperthrombocytosis, if not contraindicated, must be treated with aspirin and interferon-alpha preparations at any gestational term. Moreover, it is necessary to exclude additional most prevalent causes of thrombophilia for adequate prevention of thromboses.

[Clonal chromosomal aberrations in patients with aplastic anemia at the disease onset and transformation].

AIM: To estimate detectability and characteristic features of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells of patients with aplastic anemia (AA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial covered 155 AA patients admitted to the Hematological Research Center in 1987-2002. Cytogenetic study by G-differential staining was performed in 58 patients with AA and 5 patients with AA transforming into myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute leukemia (AL). Cytogenetic and morphological specimens of the latter's bone marrow were studied retrospectively using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with DNA probes for detection of monosomia 7 and deletion 7q. RESULTS: Clonal chromosomal aberrations were detected in 4 out of 28 patients. Further examinations revealed no aberrations. Clonal diseases developed in 7 (4.5%) of 155 patients. In 2 patients the disease transformed into paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, 5 (3.2%) patients developed variants of MDS and AL. Monosomia 7 or deletion 7q were diagnosed in 3 cases of MDS/AL. In retrospective study of bone marrow specimens of patients with transformation in MDS/AL with monosomia 7, FISH recognized a small elevation over control values in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Stable clonal chromosomal aberrations are not characteristic of AA. Some AA patients with subsequent MDS/AL may have minor neoplastic clone in the disease onset.

Defective adhesion and homing of hemopoietic precursors from the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplasia to stromal cells of normal bone marrow cultures.

Hemopoietic precursors from the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were characterized by lower adhesion to normal stromal sublayer compared to bone marrow precursors from healthy donors, while adhesion to fibroblast monolayer and fibronectin was similar in bone marrow cells from patients and donors. In vitro experiments showed that the percentage of adherent hemopoietic precursors from the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome in normal stromal sublayer and fibroblasts was lower compared to healthy donors. The decrease in adhesive activity of hemopoietic precursors from the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome probably contributes to impairment of cell-cell interactions in the bone marrow of these patients.

[Chromosomal aberrations in myelodysplastic syndrome].

AIM: To analyse incidence rate of chromosomal aberrations in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), specification of clinicomorphological features of some cytogenetic variants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chromosomal analysis by the method of G-differential staining of chromosomes was made in 209 patients with different variants of MDS. RESULTS; Clonal chromosomal aberrations occured in 60.8%. The following aberrations were found most frequently: deletion of the long arm of the chromosome 5 (del(5q)) - 34.6%, trisomy of chromosome 8 (14.1%), monosomy of chromosome 7 (13.4%), aberrations 3q21q26 (12.6%), aberrations of a long arm of X-chromosome (4.7%), the absence of Y-chromosome (3.1%). Complex aberrations of karyotype were found in 13.5% cases. Chromosomal aberrations determined not only clinical and morphological features but also the prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic examination is an essential component of MDS patients examination. It allows more precise classification of MDS variant and prognostification of the disease course.

Detection of stages of autoimmune hemolytic anemia by evaluating erythrocyte deformability and density.

Study of erythrocyte density and deformability in patients with hemolytic anemia, including long-term monitoring of 5 patients, helped us to characterize the pathological processes leading to changes in the erythrocyte population at different terms of the disease and to detect its main stages (agglutination, pathological dehydration, combination of pathological dehydration and microvesiculation, hemolytic crisis, and remission).

[T-cell tumors with aplastic syndromes]. / T-kletochnye opukholi, protekaiushchie s aplasticheskimi sindromami.

AIM: To detect and verify the existence of a specific form of T-cell tumor accompanied by isolated lesions of bone marrow and aplastic syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four patients with aplastic syndromes were examined using clinical, histological, cytological, cytogenetic, and immunophenotypic methods. RESULTS: Four cases of T-cell tumors of bone marrow with clinical and morphological manifestations of aplastic syndrome and scanty proliferation activity in bone marrow alone were diagnosed. The proliferation activity in bone marrow was observed as formation of small clusters composed of small-size lymphoid cells with dense nucleus. Dynamic monitoring of two patients revealed a trend toward an increase in the lymphoproliferation base against the remaining clinical picture of aplastic syndrome. The T-cell immunophenotype characterized by disappearance of some markers or decrease in their density, was observed only in some blood and bone marrow lymphocytes. The most significant changes of immunophenotype were observed in one of the patients (CD2+CD3-CD4-CD5-CD7-CD8-CD16-CD56-CD45RO++). The same patient had pronounced cytogenetic changes (47XY+Y[8], 47, XY, del(1)(p10) [23], 46 XY [3]) and resistance to routine therapy, including cyclosporin. In one patient the process transformed into lymphosarcoma. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in four patients allow their clinicomorphological characteristics to be regarded as particular forms of T-cell tumors accompanied by bone marrow damage and aplastic syndrome.

[Clinical significance of determining the soluble transferrin receptor]. / Klinicheskoe znachenie opredeleniia rastvorimogo transferrinovogo retseptora.

The aim of the study was to work out a method for determining the soluble transferrin receptor (TfR) on the basis of the direct immune-enzyme analysis, including its dynamic testing in patients with anemia of various etiologies. Reagents, needed for the above analysis, i.e. TfRs and antibodies to them, were obtained to implement the set goal. TfR was isolated by Kanevsky's affine chromatography from the homogenate of patients. The thus isolated TfR was used to immunize and to obtain the monoclonal antibodies. The conjugate of horseradish peroxidase (HP) and antibodies to TfR were made use of to determine the quantity of bound antibodies. One type of antibodies were immobilized in plates of the "Nunk" company (Denmark), and the other type of monoclonal antibodies were conjugated with HP. A reliably higher TfR in iron-deficiency anemia was shown during the determination of the TfR level in 36 donors and 266 patients. After a conducted ferrotherapy, the TfR level went down approaching the normal value. The TfR level was related with a disease stage and activity of the prolipherative process in cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, B12-folate-dependent anemia, lympho- and myeloprolipherative diseases and in oncology patients. The elaborated method opens up new possibilities for the differential diagnosis of anemia and provide for objective criteria of a conducted therapy.