Prothrombin Time and Coagulation Factor IX as Hemostatic Risk Markers for Legg- Calvé-Perthes Disease.

BACKGROUND: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a pediatric disorder that occurs due to the avascular necrosis of the femoral head and affects the range of motion of the hip in various degrees. Its etiology is still unknown, although it has been associated with coagulation abnormalities, however, the lack of reproducibility in the results in various studies has created a controversy as to whether hemostasis disorders are related to LCPD. On the other hand, there is little information on laboratory studies that could facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of LCPD. METHODS: Blood and plasma samples were tested from 25 patients with LCPD and 50 healthy controls, matched by sex and age. Cellular markers were evaluated through complete blood count, as well as coagulation times, coagulation factors activity, antithrombotic proteins, and homocysteine concentration. RESULTS: After assessing activity value frequencies in each group, the results showed more significant activity in some of the biological risk markers of thrombophilia, presenting a substantial difference in prothrombin time↘, FV↗, FVIII↗, FIX↗, and Hcy↗. These values imply that there may be hypercoagulable states in patients, which can cause thrombotic events. CONCLUSIONS: Diminished prothrombin time and increase in FV activity, FVIII, FIX, and Hcy concentration support the hypothesis that microthrombi formation in small-caliber vessels could be causing avascularity and femoral necrosis, which are traits of LCPD. In addition, based on our results, we believe that the laboratory studies carried out are very useful in the diagnosis and treatment of LCPD.

Parámetros de laboratorio de importancia en el manejo de pacientes con COVID-19 / Laboratory parameters of importance in the management of COVID-19 patients

Resumen El coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2) detona el padecimiento la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), poniendo en riesgo de muerte a la población vulnerable. El laboratorio clínico enfrenta un reto para el diagnóstico, seguimiento, pronóstico y evaluación de los tratamientos, que se ofrecen a los enfermos de COVID-19. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar al lector un resumen de los principales cambios en los parámetros que se estudian en los laboratorios clínicos. Material y métodos: Se hizo una búsqueda bibliográfica cruzando los términos COVID-19 y laboratorio clínico. Se analizaron las publicaciones relevantes por los miembros del Comité de Trombosis y Hemostasia-AMEH A.C. y se plasmaron las pruebas que a criterio de los participantes destacan por la relación entre la información que proporcionan respecto al seguimiento, pronóstico y evaluación al tratamiento. Resultados: Se recomienda solicitar una citometría hemática (recuento de células blancas, relación neutrófilo:linfocito), química sanguínea (transaminasas, bilirrubinas, albúmina, urea, creatinina, glucosa, lactato deshidrogenasa), pruebas de coagulación (tiempo de protrombina, tiempo de tromboplastina parcial activado, fibrinógeno y dímeros D) y pruebas especiales (proteína C reactiva, ferritina, procalcitonina, troponina).

Abstract The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggers the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), putting the vulnerable population at risk of death. The clinical laboratory faces a challenge for the diagnosis, monitoring, prognosis and evaluation of therapy with low molecular weight heparin. Our objective in this article is to offer a brief discuss of the main changes in the clinical parameters, studied on behalf of COVID-19 patients by a clinical laboratory. Material and methods: A bibliographic search was made crossing the terms COVID-19 and clinical laboratory. Relevant publications were analyzed by the members of the Committee for Thrombosis and Hemostasis-AMEH A.C. The relevant articles were discussed, and the clinical tests discussed in the article are those, that meet the criteria of providing information referring to the follow-up, prognosis and evaluation of treatment against the lower cost. Results: It is recommended to request a blood count (white cell count, neutrophyl/ lymphocytes ratio), clinical chemistry (transaminases, bilirubin, albumin, urea, creatinine, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase), coagulation tests (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, DD dimers) and special tests (C-reactive protein, ferritin, procalcitonin, troponins).

Risk Factors for Thrombosis Development in Mexican Patients.

BACKGROUND: To identify inherited factors: Protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin (AT), plasminogen (Plg), the activated PC resistance (APCR), prothrombin (PT) mutation G20210 A (PTG20210 A) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677 T polymorphism (MTHFR C677 T), as well as acquired-risk factors such as: diabetes mellitus, surgeries, smoking, obesity, hypertension, trauma, alcoholism, family history; and their association, in Mexican patients with diagnostic of thrombophilia. METHODS: Overall, 200 patients diagnosed with thrombophilia and 100 healthy controls. Commercial kits were used for the coagulometric tests and polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism for molecular alterations. RESULTS: Alterations were found with an estimated prevalence to PC 0.65%, AT 2.04% and Plg 2.5%, APCR 2%, PT 20210 2%, and MTHFR 65%. The C677 T polymorphism of the MTHFR did not associate with acquired-risk factors so we can suppose that it is an independent risk factor. For the patients that only presented acquired-risk factors (21 of 200), the association smoking-alcoholism showed to be the cause of thrombosis with high risk. The following were also associated: smoking with AT, PC, and alcoholism; obesity with Plg; smoking with alcoholism, and PS deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for both primary and secondary and their association were present as a cause of thrombosis in the patients studied, and the possibility to suffer a recurrent thrombosis.

[Von Willebrand disease. Molecular biology and diagnosis]. / Enfermedad de von Willebrand, biología molecular y diagnóstico.

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited disorder of the coagulation proteins in humans. There are three types: 1, 2A, 2B, 2N, 2M and 3. It is associated with mutations on chromosome 12 in the region p13.2, encoding the von Willebrand factor (VWF), which is synthesized in endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. DISCUSSION: The VWF gene has been characterised using molecular biology techniques, which have acquired an important role in diagnosis von Willebrand disease, as well as in the investigation of alterations in other genes, which may be involved in regulating the synthesis, processing, and secretion of VWF. However, there are still no strategies to integrate the molecular biology diagnostic tests available. Analysis of VWF multimers is a methodology that meets the characteristics for diagnosis, but it is not easy to standardise. Considering that even in tertiary centres in our country, von Willebrand patients do not have a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to implement these methodologies to study and improve diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Von Willebrand disease is highly heterogeneous due to the molecular mechanisms that produce the various clinical and laboratory phenotypes. In Mexico there are few studies related to this disease; therefore it is essential to conduct a comprehensive study including clinical, basic, and special testing laboratory tests, in order to establish a correct diagnosis, develop new therapeutic approaches, and offer the appropriate medical care and genetic counselling.

Anticoagulant proteins in a population of Mexican mestizo donors.

BACKGROUND: To determine the activity of antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and protein S (PS), as well as the frequency of deficiencies of these proteins in a population of healthy Mexican mestizo blood donors. METHODS: AT, PC, and PS were determined from 1,502 plasma samples of healthy blood donors by using commercial kits in a coagulometer 4 STA (Diagnostica Stago, Asnières, France). RESULTS: A total of 741 women and 761 men were under study. They were divided into age range groups (18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years). Activity of AT, PC, and PS was determined. For AT, activity values were specific for each age group according to gender when it had to do with PS, as well as when PC was determined. Frequencies of AT, PC, PS, and activated PC resistance activity deficiencies were obtained from reference levels (RLs) and average levels of this study. Differences were found between both frequencies for AT, PC, and PS, and the average levels obtained were used in this study. The frequencies of the activity deficiencies obtained through the values gotten in this population were: AT, 0.6%; PC, 1.06% (which is higher than the one obtained using the RLs described by commercial kits 0.33% and 0.66%, respectively); and PS, 1% (which is less than 4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to know the characteristics and biological behavior of the coagulation proteins in the Mexican population because the RLs used have been established for populations that are genetically different.

[Determination of von Willebrand factor multimers in Mexican population]. / Determinación de los multímeros del factor von Willebrand en población mexicana.

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease is an inherited disease in which the structure, function, and concentration of von Willebrand factor are altered, as well as the platelet von Willebrand factor endothelium interaction. In Mexico there are no epidemiological records of the disease. Only a few isolated studies have been reported from the clinical and hematological standpoint. METHODS: We studied 155 Mexican Mestizos: 75 with presumptive diagnosis of von Willebrand disease, 15 with suspected diagnosis ofhemophilia A and 65 healthy donors (controls). Basic coagulation tests, special tests and classification test (analysis of multimeric composition) were carried out. RESULTS: There were 15 patients with clinical diagnosis of hemophilia A, 75 patients with suspected von Willebrand disease of which 50 were diagnosed as the following types and subtypes: Type 1 (62%), Type 2 (22%) [subtypes: 2A (14%), 2B (2%), and 2N (6%)] and Type 3 (16%). CONCLUSION: It has been reported that analysis of von Willebrand factor is a method that meets the characteristics for the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease. It is necessary to implement this methodology to study and improve the specific diagnoses.

Antecedentes: la enfermedad de von Willebrand es un padecimiento hereditario en el que la estructura, función y concentración del factor de von Willebrand están alteradas y, en consecuencia, también la interacción plaqueta-factor de von Willebrand-endotelio. En México no hay registros epidemiológicos de la enfermedad, sólo se han efectuado algunos estudios aislados desde el punto de vista clínico y hematológico. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo efectuado en 155 mexicanos mestizos, 75 de ellos con diagnóstico presuntivo de enfermedad de von Willebrand, 15 con sospecha de hemofilia A y 65 donadores sanos (testigos). Se realizaron pruebas: básicas de coagulación, especiales y de clasificación: análisis de la composición multimérica. Resultados: 15 pacientes se diagnosticaron con hemofilia A; de los 75 sujetos con sospecha de enfermedad de von Willebrand se diagnosticaron 50 de la manera siguiente: tipo 1 (62%), tipo 2 (22%) [subtipos: 2A (14%), 2B (2%) y 2N (6%)] y tipo 3 (16%). Conclusión: el análisis de los multímeros del factor de von Willebrand es un método que cumple con las características adecuadas para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de von Willebrand, por lo que es necesario implementar esta metodología para su estudio y mejorar su diagnóstico específico.

Leiden V factor and spastic cerebral palsy in Mexican children.

AIM: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a persistent motor disorder that appears before the patient is 3 years old due to a nonprogressive interference in the brain's development which takes place before the central nervous system growth is complete. Causes of this have been studied, and one that has been proposed for spastic hemiparesis CP is the Leiden mutation of V factor coagulation. We want to know whether this mutation can cause CP in our population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study of cases and controls with 94 patients with spastic hemiparesis CP and 120 controls as well as their mothers with their controls. RESULTS: None of the patients, their mothers, or controls had the Leiden mutation; however, other risk factors were significant: hypoxia odds ratio (OR) 7.189 (2.546, 20.302) p=0.0001, smoking OR 16.621 (2.945, 93.818) p=0.001, maternal infections (urinary or vaginal) OR 7.040 (2.952, 16.789) p=0.0001, weeks of gestation OR 0.866 (0.7750, 0.999) p=0.048, and maternal age OR 1.114 (1.031, 1.204) p=0.006. CONCLUSION: Leiden mutation of factor V is not an important factor for our Mexican mestizo population; however, there are other important perinatal risk factors.

Association of resistance to activated protein with the presence of Leiden and Cambridge Factor V mutations in Mexican patients with primary thrombophilia.

BACKGROUND: Leiden and Cambridge factor V coagulation mutations and activated protein C resistance (RaPC) are alterations related with vein and artery thrombosis. In this study we aimed to determine whether RaPC is associated with the presence of Leiden and Cambridge mutation and the frequency of these mutations in the racially mestizo Mexican population. METHODS: We included 150 Mexican patients with primary thrombophilia and 100 healthy subjects in this study. RaPC was determined using commercial methods and genotypes FV Leiden and FV Cambridge with PCR-RFLPs. RESULTS: RaPC was positive in four patients and in one control individual; however, there was no presence of Leiden or Cambridge mutation in the studied group; thus, RaPC was not correlated with the presence of any of the studied mutations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there are other primary or secondary causes different from those studied, which condition the presence of RaPC. Furthermore, the frequency obtained for RaPC in our thrombophilic population of racially mixed Mexicans is lower compared to that obtained in the Caucasian population, most probably because they are genetically different populations.

Asociación de la RPCA con mutaciones Leiden y Cambridge del factor V de la coagulación en pacientes mexicanos con trombofilia primaria / Association of resistance to activated protein with the presence of Leiden and Cambridge Factor V mutations in Mexican patients with primary thrombophilia

Introducción: Las mutaciones Leiden y Cambridge del factor V de la coagulación y la resistencia a la proteína C activada (RPCA) son alteraciones que se relacionan con trombosis venosa y arterial. En este trabajo se analizó si la RPCA está asociada con las mutaciones Leiden y Cambridge, y la frecuencia de éstas en población mestiza mexicana. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 150 pacientes mexicanos con trombofilia primaria y 100 sujetos sanos. Se determinó la RPCA empleando método comercial y los genotipos factor V Leiden y factor V Cambridge mediante PCR-RFLPs. Resultados: La RPCA fue positiva en cuatro pacientes y en un individuo control; sin embargo, no se encontró la mutación Leiden o Cambridge en la población estudiada, por lo que la RPCA no se correlacionó con ninguna de las mutaciones investigadas. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que existen otras causas primarias o secundarias diferentes a las analizadas, que condicionan la RPCA. Además, la frecuencia obtenida para la RPCA en nuestra población trombofílica mestiza mexicana fue menor comparada con la obtenida en población caucásica, quizá por tratarse de poblaciones genéticamente diferentes.

BACKGROUND: Leiden and Cambridge factor V coagulation mutations and activated protein C resistance (RaPC) are alterations related with vein and artery thrombosis. In this study we aimed to determine whether RaPC is associated with the presence of Leiden and Cambridge mutation and the frequency of these mutations in the racially mestizo Mexican population. METHODS: We included 150 Mexican patients with primary thrombophilia and 100 healthy subjects in this study. RaPC was determined using commercial methods and genotypes FV Leiden and FV Cambridge with PCR-RFLPs. RESULTS: RaPC was positive in four patients and in one control individual; however, there was no presence of Leiden or Cambridge mutation in the studied group; thus, RaPC was not correlated with the presence of any of the studied mutations. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there are other primary or secondary causes different from those studied, which condition the presence of RaPC. Furthermore, the frequency obtained for RaPC in our thrombophilic population of racially mixed Mexicans is lower compared to that obtained in the Caucasian population, most probably because they are genetically different populations.