Evaluation of the Association between CD4, CD8 and CD25 Cell Counts and SLE in Active Disease and in Remission.

AIM: To evaluate the correlation between the levels of CD4, CD8 and CD25 cells and SLE disease in active phase and in remission. METHODS: A total of 25 SLE patients, aged between 18-60 years, and fulfilling the ACR criteria with preferential Renal and CNS involvement were included in this study. Baseline CD4/CD8 and CD25 counts, lab parameters etc were conducted. Approximately at the end of 6 months with the settlement of the disease activity blood sample was drawn for the CD4, CD8 and CD25 counts and other lab parameters. RESULTS: ESR showed a statistical significant decrease while the SLEDAI score and proteinuria showed a decreasing trend as the patients underwent remission. The C3 showed an increasing trend, while the C4 showed more or less a stable pattern. Rise in %CD4 and %CD25 count was statistically significant. There was negative correlation between % CD4 count and SLEDAI score, while positive correlation between % CD25 count and SLEDAI score. CONCLUSIONS: %CD4 count is a sensitive, specific, reliable and valid marker of active disease in SLE and can be used to follow disease activity. %CD25 count can also be used as a marker to follow disease activity.

Chronic myeloid leukemia in children and adolescents: A single center experience from Eastern India.

CONTEXT: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) constitutes around 3% of leukemia in the children and adolescent age group. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics at presentation and the treatment outcome of CML in the children and adolescent age group. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective analysis was carried out at a single center in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (≤17 years) attending CML outdoor from April 2008 to August 2012 were included in the analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The mean and median of various parameters were calculated using a Microsoft excel sheet. SPSS 16.0 version software was used to calculate OS and PFS. RESULTS: CML-CP was the most common phase at presentation. Maximum patients belonged to the 14 - 17 year old age group. Disease was common in the male sex. Splenic discomfort and asthenia were the most common symptoms and splenomegaly was the most common sign. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with Imatinib was effective and well-tolerated.