[Evaluation of a method for the determination of serum ferritin by chemiluminescence]. / Evaluación de un método para la determinación de la ferritina sérica por quimioluminiscencia.

The aim of this study was to assess a technique for serum ferritin determination by means of chemoluminiscence (Magic Lite, Ciba Corning) in a series of unselected patients. A group of 100 healthy blood donors (50 men and 50 women), in whom iron deficiency had been previously excluded, was used as control. The results were validate according to the Societé Francaise de Biologie Clinique guidances. The characteristics of the method and its comparison with IRMA and ELISA techniques are described here. Its major advantages are related with simplicity and sensitivity; the main disadvantage is the necessity to repeat every step in samples with ferritin levels over 1,500 ng/dl.

[Hematometric values in delta-beta thalassemia minor. Special importance of the erythrocyte distribution in comparison with beta thalassemia and iron deficiency]. / Valores hematimétricos en la delta beta talasemia minor. Especial importancia de la amplitud de distribución eritrocitaria en comparación con la beta talasemia y la ferropenia.

The haematological parameters of 97 cases of beta thalassaemia trait and 40 cases of delta beta thalassaemia trait have been compared. No differences in haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, ferritin, % saturation or free erythrocyte protoporphyrin have been found. The RDW, however, is significantly increased in delta beta thalassaemia trait, its mean value (+/- SD) being 20 (2.05), even higher than that found in iron deficiency anaemia. The discrimination function described by England and Fraser may be of help in distinguishing these entities.