Primary amenorrhoea - cytogenetic study in 40 Indian women.

BACKGROUND: Primary amenorrhoea (PA) refers to an ailment when adolescent girls do not attain menarche naturally. It is one of the most common gynaecological disorders specified. Chromosomal abnormalities play a pivotal role in PA. Cytogenetic analysis is an indispensable diagnostic tool to determine the abnormality of the chromosome. In an emerging country like India, cytogenetic analysis is at a nascent stage. There are very few studies on Cytogenetics present in eastern India, including West Bengal. In rural and suburban areas PA sufferers often experience late diagnosis and struggle to access suitable curative management. The aim of the study is to evaluate the various types of chromosomal abnormalities in patients suffering from PA for accurate, better management of the same and further counselling. METHODS: A total of 40 PA cases were referred by obstetricians and gynaecologists to the Department of Genetics of Nirnayan Health Care, Kolkata. To screen the chromosomal abnormalities, human leukocyte culture was accomplished with their peripheral venous blood followed by G-banding and then karyotyping was executed according to ISCN-2020. RESULT: Out of 40 patients, 29 were normal among which 46,XX was found in 70% cases (n = 28) and 46,XX,9qh + in 2.5% (n = 1). The remaining 11 showed different types of abnormalities. 45,X was found in 10% (n = 4), 46,X,i(X)(q10) in 2.5% (n = 1), 46,X,del(X)(p11.2) in 2.5% (n = 1), 46,X,del(X)(p22.1) in 2.5% (n = 1), 46,X,del(X)(q24) in 2.5% (n = 1), 46,XY in 2.5% (n = 1), mos 45,X[22]/46,Xi(X)(q.10)[8] in 2.5% (n = 1) and mos 45,X[16]/46,XY[14] (2.5%) in 2.5% (n = 1). CONCLUSION: This study indicates the importance of chromosomal study which must be included in early diagnosis of PA. Karyotyping at the appropriate phase of life will not only help in the judicial management of this disorder but will also give young girls a better lifestyle.

Primary amenorrhoea is a common gynecological disorder reported in adolescent girls, often linked to chromosomal abnormalities. In Eastern India, including West Bengal, where cytogenetic analysis is still in its nascent stage, late diagnosis and limited access to curative management are prevalent issues. A study conducted from January 2021 to May 2023 at Nirnayan Healthcare, Kolkata aimed to evaluate chromosomal abnormalities in 40 PA cases. Out of these, 28 exhibited normal karyotypes (46,XX); one patient was reported with 46,XX,9qh + which is considered a normal karyotype, while the remaining 11 revealed diverse abnormalities, including 45,X; sex reversal & several structural variations. The study underscores the significance of cytogenetic analysis in the early diagnosis of Primary Amenorrhoea. Early karyotyping not only facilitates judicious management but also ensures a better lifestyle for affected girls.

Changes in Different Cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) Profile in Acquired Aplastic Anemia Patients: A Study From Eastern India.

Although aplastic anemia has been extensively investigated, little is known about their circulating cytokine pattern. The present study was done to evaluate the severity of the disease with the 3 major anti-hematopoietic cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This study is ethically cleared. A total of 102 bone marrow plasma and peripheral blood plasma paired samples were collected from the confirmed acquired aplastic anemia (AAA) patients and 10 control cases after taking written consent and analyzed by the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Considerably increased levels of IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were found in the peripheral blood plasma and bone marrow plasma of AAA patients as compared with controls, that is, 45.76±20.61 versus 1.99±1.25, P<0.00001; 26.51±15.62 versus 11.7±3.67, P=0.00188; 17.04±11.64 versus 5.27±1.92, P=0.00034 and 70.54± 37.57 versus 3.12±1.82, P<0.00001; 251.82±243.80 versus 15.66±6.35, P<0.00001; 39.35±22.58 versus 11.12±2.41, P=0.00012, respectively. The IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were observed to be extraordinarily elevated in AAA, but were very low in the control cases. The results confirm that IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ may have an imperative association with the disaster in the bone marrow compartment of AAA patients. The levels and ranges of the observed cytokines can also be predicted by the severity basis of this study.

Cytogenetic analysis of patients with primary amenorrhea in Eastern India.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation in women of reproductive age. Previous reports suggest that chromosomal abnormality is the second most common cause of amenorrhoea. Early referral for cytogenetic evaluation is recommended for the identification of underlying chromosomal aberrations in amenorrhoea patients. This was an observational study which was conducted in Vivekananda Institute of Medical sciences, Kolkata, during January 2013-December 2015. This study aims to estimate the frequency and types of chromosomal abnormalities in primary amenorrhoea (PA) patients in Eastern India and correlate their hormonal profile with chromosomal reports. Clinical features of 150 patients were recorded with clinical expertise. Peripheral venous blood was taken following informed consent, followed by karyotyping for chromosomal analysis. Results revealed 76.1% of PA with normal female karyotype (46, XX) and 23.9% with different abnormal karyotypes. Among the abnormal karyotype constituents, 50% numerical abnormalities, most frequent being Turner syndrome, pure (n = 12, 8%) and mosaic (n = 5, 3.3%). Three cases (2%) showed male (XY) karyotype. The other cases showed X structural abnormalities. This study emphasises the need for cytogenetic analysis as integral part of the diagnostic protocol in case of PA for precise identification of chromosomal abnormalities and for appropriate management and counselling of these patients.

Comparative study of bone marrow and blood plasma levels of IL-2 in aplastic anaemia and their relationship with disease severity.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-2 (alias: IL-2, TCGF, Lymphokine), a type of interleukin, is also a potent signalling molecule in the signalling cascade of the immune-mediated activation of T Lymphocytes leading to the destruction of haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) which is the basis of acquired aplastic anaemia (AAA). The objective was to study the association of IL-2 in the bone marrow plasma (BMP) and peripheral blood plasma (PBP) in AAA patients. METHODS: A total of 52 BMP and PBP-paired samples (both from the same patients) was collected from the confirmed AAA patients and 10 healthy individuals. The level of IL-2 was measured by the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significantly increased level of IL-2 was observed in the BMP than PBP of AAA patients. The level of IL-2 in PBP and BMP was found to be very low in the control cases. Considerably increased levels of IL-2 were found in the PBP and BMP of AAA patients as compared to controls (48.54 ± 21.89 vs. 1.99 ± 1.25 p-value < 0.00001) and (75.33 ± 41.9 vs. 3.12 ± 1.82; p-value < 0.00001) respectively. Among these patients, the IL-2 levels were higher in patients with Very Severe Aplastic Anaemia (VSAA) and Severe Aplastic Anaemia (SAA) than those with Non-severe Aplastic Anaemia (NSAA) in the PBP (65.6 ± 23.61 vs. 31.72 ± 7.64; p-value 0.00338) and (45.37 ± 16.25 vs. 31.72 ± 7.64; p-value 0.01468) respectively. Again the IL-2 levels were higher in patients with VSAA and SAA than those with NSAA in the BMP (115.01 ± 38.91 vs. 38.32 ± 19.49; p-value < 0.00001) and (66.44 ± 23.34 vs. 38.32 ± 19.49; p-value 0.0006). The IL-2 level was higher in VSAA than SAA in PBP (65.6 ± 23.61vs. 45.37 ± 16.25; p-value 0.0114) and BMP (115.01 ± 38.91 vs. 66.44 ± 23.34; p-value 0.00044). CONCLUSION: This study emphasized on the bone marrow and blood plasma levels of IL-2 in aplastic anaemia and their relationship with disease severity. The results indicate towards the fact that IL-2 may have an important association with the marrow failure of AAA patients and thus can help in disease development. Further study is necessary for better understanding.

Incidence of Fanconi anaemia in phenotypically normal aplastic anaemia patients in West Bengal.

OBJECTIVES: Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure and autosomal recessive blood disorder. FA patients have a higher risk of cancer, including acute myeloid leukaemia and squamous cell carcinoma. Maximum, but not all, affected individuals have one or more somatic abnormalities, including skin, skeletal, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, cardiac and neurological anomalies, etc. Positive stress cytogenetics has immense implications for the treatment and management of FA. The aim of our study was to find out the incidence of FA in the population of phenotypically normal aplastic anaemia (AA) patients in West Bengal. METHODS: Ethical clearances were obtained from the corresponding institutional committees. A total of 117 AA cases was selected. Stress cytogenetics was performed from peripheral venous blood (PVB) samples of 63 AA patients (age ≤ 50 years) and 63 age- and sex-matched healthy individual (control) using Mitomycin C (MMC). RESULTS: Out of 63 AA patients, 6 (9.25%) cases showed positive stress cytogenetics suggestive of FA, which is statistically significant (p-value - 0.000532), analysed by chi-square test. DISCUSSION: A considerable percentage of patients showing sensitivity towards MMC, even if they are phenotypically normal and did not have any distinguishable features which are generally found in FA. CONCLUSION: This observation may indicate that stress cytogenetics analysis of phenotypically normal AA patients (≤50 years) is essential for the improvement of the treatment procedure.

Cytogenetic study is not essential in patients with aplastic anemia.

Depending on contemporary treatment approach of aggressive immunosuppression, Aplastic Anemia (AA) is caused by immunological destruction of otherwise normal hematopoietic stem cells. The aim was to summarize the cytogenetic abnormalities in AA patients and the frequency of Fanconi Anemia (FA) in morphologically normal AA patients in eastern India. Ethical clearances were obtained from both institutions involved in this study. Out of 72800 patients attending the outpatient department, 520 pancytopenia patients were screened for AA after Bone marrow (BM) aspiration and biopsy. Samples were collected from 117 cases in 3 phases. 51 peripheral venous blood (PVB) samples in the first phase, 19 BM & PVB paired samples in the second phase and 47 BM samples in third phase were collected followed by leukocyte and/or BM stem cell culture. Next GTG banding and karyotyping were performed. PVB was collected from 63 (< 50 years) AA patients and stress cytogenetics was done to diagnose FA. In the first phase of the study, out of 51 PVB samples, 1 (1.96%) showed a unique chromosomal abnormality, i.e. 45,XY,rob(14:21)(p10:q10)[20]. In the second phase of study, among 19 BM & PVB paired samples, 1 (5.26%) showed abnormal karyotype i.e. 45,X,-Y[3]/46,XY[47]. In the third phase of the study, 47 BM samples showed normal karyotype. Only 6 (9.52%) cases were found positive for stress cytogenetics. A negligible percentage showing cytogenetic abnormality in such a considerable number of AA cases indicates that routine cytogenetic analysis of AA patient is not essential. A significant percentage was positive for stress cytogenetics; suggestive for FA, even the patients were morphologically normal.