Bone marrow scintigraphy in hemopoietic depletion states.

Bone marrow scintigraphy was performed in 29 patients with hemopoietic depletion states of various etiology. Two tracers were used for visualization of the marrow: 99mTc-sulphur-colloid and 111InCl3, some patients being examined by both indicators. 111InCl3 is bound on transferrin and is adsorbed on the surface of reticulocytes and erythroblasts). The scintillation camera PHO GAMMA SEARLE IV fitted with moving table and computer CLINCOM was used, so that whole body images were obtained. The comparison of all scans and marrow puncture smears was done. In patients with aplastic anemia with both hyperplastic or hypoplastic marrow good correlation of bone marrow scans and sternal puncture smears was found. In several cases the scintigraphic examination helped to establish a diagnosis of marrow depletion state. A peculiar disadvantage of the imaging method with either 99mTc-sulphur-colloid or 111InCl3 is that it shows the disorders in erythropoietic and reticuloendothelial cells, whereas the defects in myelopoietic cell series and platelet precursors are not provable. According to literature data, great attention is paid to the prognostic value of scintigraphic examination in aplastic anemia.

[HLA compatibility and survival of 51 chromium-labeled allogeneic thrombocytes]. / HLA-Komp]atibilität und Uberlebenszeit von 51Cr-markierten allogenen Thrombozyten.

In 37 patients with thrombocytopenia (mostly with ITP) the survival time of 51Cr-labeled allogeneic platelets was investigated. The HLA antigens were typed in donors and recipients and the presence of HLA cytotoxins and specific thrombocyte antibodies in sera of patients were examined. In 7 cases the identity of 2 HLA antigens, in 15 cases that of 1 HLA antigen and in 15 cases the HLA incompatibility between donor and patient were found. The survival of platelets did not depend on the degree of HLA compatibility, unless the HLA cytotoxins in sera of patients appeared. The HLA, as well the specific platelet antibodies brought about the shortened platelet survival to 1 day and less. The importance of these observations for platelet kinetics is discussed.

Some critical remarks on the problem of HLA association with disease.

The results concerning the association of HLA antigens with ITP, pernicious anaemia, hemangiomas and Alzheimer's disease are compared with those of other authors and the causes for differences are discussed. The different number of examined patients does not seem to be the main cause of those differences. Selecting of the correct method for statistical evaluation and the differences in the criteria for diagnosing the disease are more important. The unsubstantial differences in the homogeneity of the patients group and controls are negligible.