Test-1 analyzer and conventional Westergren method for erythrocyte sedimentation rate: A comparative study between two laboratories.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of the length of sedimentation reaction in blood (LSRB), also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a widely used hematology test. This study intends to compare ESR levels measured by Test-1 method and International Council for Standardization in Hematology's (ICSH) reference method, and analyzes the effect of hematocrit (Hct) on ESR results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 755 patients from 2 hospitals were included in the study, and samples with EDTA were studied by Test-1 method for ESR measurement and total blood count, whereas citrated samples were studied with reference Westergren method. Then, 2 methods were compared. Distribution of ESR results according to the ESR(≤20, >20 mm/h) and Hct(≥35%, <35%) levels and hospital type was analyzed. ESR levels with Hct levels<35% were corrected with Fabry's formula. RESULTS: The mean and SD values for the Test-1 method, reference Westergren method, and corrected ESR measurement were 21.30 ± 18.39, 28.59 ± 25.82, and 24.92 ± 20.58 mm/h, respectively. Within the whole group, the correlation coefficient (r) was .77 (.7-.80) with a significance level P < .001. Passing-Bablok regression analysis of the methods resulted in a regression equation y = 1.00 (95% Cl: 0.43-1.88) + 0.75 (95% Cl: 0.70-0.78)x while the significance of linearity was acceptable (P < .01). All subgroup linear regression analyses revealed that the correlation was acceptable, except ESR > 20 mm/h group, Hct < 35% group, and corrected ESR group (significance level were P > .10). CONCLUSION: The study showed that the role of the hospital and the capacity of testing are important in choosing the instrument for measuring ESR. Furthermore, the patient profile, especially malignancy possibility and Hct level, may be important for instrument selection.

Plasma levels and distribution of gene polymorphisms of factor VII in Turkish population.

Three factor VII (FVII) promoter haplotypes are associated with stratified plasma FVII levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the distribution of FVII gene polymorphism and levels in Turkish population. The study population was classified into 3 groups according to the absence of coronary arterial disease and presence or absence of a history of myocardial infarction. It was found that the levels of FVII coagulant activity (FVIIc) were higher in the event group than that of the other groups. Participants with high FVIIc levels were found to have 2-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The alleles at the FVII loci in all cases are similar. In conclusion, our results indicate that FVIIc levels have an important predictive role in cardiovascular events. The distribution of FVII gene polymorphisms in the Turkish population shows significant differences when compared with European populations.

Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic ring 22 duplication/deletion with terminal 22q13 deletion due to abnormal first trimester screening and choroid plexus cyst detected on ultrasound.

We report a rare case of mosaic ring chromosome 22 duplication/deletion in a fetus for whom karyotype analysis was required because of an abnormal finding in the maternal serum screening test and a choroid plexus cyst detected on prenatal ultrasound. Additional prenatal study of the amniotic fluid by fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed and the terminal 22q13.3 deletion was detected on ring chromosome. The final karyotype was 45,XX,-22[3]/46,XX,r(22)(p11q13.2)[63]/46,XX,idicr(22)(p11q13.2;p11q13.2)[2]dn.ishder(22)(N25+, ARSA-, ter-). The pegnancy was terminated. Cytogenetic analysis of the intracardiac blood also revealed ring 22 mosaicism with only one metaphase spread with idicr(22) as the unstable isodicentric rings are subsequently lost from most cells. We discuss the prenatal diagnosis of this rare condition.