Successful treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome-induced pyoderma gangrenosum.

We report successful treatment of a refractory myelodysplastic syndrome-associated pyoderma gangrenosum with the combination of thalidomide and interferon-alpha2a in a single patient. A non-healing wound developed on a 40-year-old woman's left thumb after minor trauma. Massive ulcerovegetative lesions developed after reconstruction surgery. Histopathological examination of the bone marrow and cytogenetic studies revealed an atypical myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic syndrome. The skin lesions resolved dramatically after two months of thalidomide and interferon-alpha2a combination therapy and the haematological status improved.

Predicting chronic leukaemias from assessment of complete peripheral blood counts.

The chronic leukaemias include two distinct chronic neoplastic disease states, namely chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The aim of this study was to assess the utility of leucocyte count, neutrophil percentage and absolute lymphocyte count from differential complete blood count analyses as indicators of the possible presence of CML and CLL. Blood counts from 102 patients with histopathologically confirmed CML and CLL were compared with counts for 858 cancer-free control subjects. Optimal cut-off values were identified by selecting values with the highest sensitivity-specificity combination for each blood count parameter for the two diseases. The results indicated that any individual with mature-appearing lymphocytes at a level > 6.65 x 10(9)/l in the peripheral blood should be examined further for CLL, and that any individual with a leucocyte count > 18.0 x 10(9)/l or a neutrophil proportion > 72.6% should be investigated for CML.

Enhanced expression of the local haematopoietic bone marrow renin-angiotensin system in polycythemia rubra vera.

Local bone marrow (BM) renin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects physiological and pathological haematopoiesis, including erythropoiesis. In this study, quantitative expression of the messenger RNAs of the major RAS components--angiotensin-converting enzyme (CD143), renin and angiotensinogen--were measured in BM samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, to evaluate the activity of local BM RAS in polycythemia rubra vera (PV) in comparison with normal erythropoiesis. The presence of CD143 was also investigated in the same BM samples by flow cytometry. Increased local synthesis of the major RAS components has been identified by demonstrating corresponding mRNAs in the BM of the patients with PV. Our findings indicate up-regulation of local BM RAS, together with down-regulation of the cell surface angiotensin-converting enzyme receptors, in the autonomous neoplastic clonal erythropoiesis of PV.

Overt gastrointestinal bleeding in haematologic neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with acute leukaemia suffer from various haemorrhages, most frequently due to thrombocytopenia. We could not reach any information regarding the frequency of gastrointestinal bleeding in acute leukaemia and decided to search this complication in patients with acute and chronic leukaemias and myeloproliferative disorders, retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 6-year period, 291 patients with acute leukaemia, 52 patients with chronic leukaemia and 108 patients with myeloproliferative disorders had been followed. Thirty-two cases of overt gastrointestinal haemorrhage episodes (25 upper, 7 lower) were observed during the mentioned period. RESULTS: The frequency of bleeding episodes was 7.1% (32/451) in haematologic malignancies as a whole, 5.8% (17/291) for acute leukaemia, 1.9% (1/52) for chronic leukaemia and 13% (14/108) for myeloproliferative disorders. If the patients with myeloproliferative disorders in blastic phase were analysed separately, the ratio was 30% (6/20). Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, which could be performed in 8 of 25 upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage episodes, revealed erosive gastritis in five patients and duodenal ulcers in three patients. Neutropenic enterocolitis was the underlying cause in all of the seven patients with lower gastrointestinal haemorhage. Five out of the seven patients had acute leukaemia. In 7 bleeding attacks, out of 32, the ultimate result was death. Generally, the haemorrhage was only a contributing cause of mortality. All of the mortality cases were patients with acute leukaemia. CONCLUSION: Especially, the patients with myeloproliferative disorders are prone to develop gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The manifestation is generally as upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric erosions and duodenal ulcers. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is frequently a problem of the patients with acute leukaemia. It is commonly a sign of neutropenic enterocolitis.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma complicating pregnancy: a case report.

A 40-year-old, gravida 3, para 2 woman was initially referred to our department at 31 weeks' gestation complaining of fever, night sweats, malaise in association with jaundice and pancytopenia. Cesarean section with excisional iliac lymph node biopsy was carried out following a period of expectant management. An 1,840 g healthy male infant with an Apgar score of 9 at 34 weeks of gestation was delivered. Histologic examination of the excised lymph node revealed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Histiocyte and T cell predominant B cell lymphoma). The patient was evaluated to have Stage II B disease. A chemotherapy regimen of CHOP/Rituximab was instituted with successful maternal-fetal prognosis.

Plasma basic fibroblast growth factor and bone marrow fibrosis in clonal myeloproliferative disorders.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an important growth factor involved in clonal hematopoietic expansion, neoangiogenesis, and bone marrow fibrosis, all of which are important pathobiologic features of clonal chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The aim of this study was to assess circulating bFGF concentrations in patients with CMPD and MDS with respect to the presence of bone marrow fibrosis in histopathologic examination. The study group comprised 18 patients with CMPD (six female, 12 male; median age 50 years), seven patients with MDS (one female, six male; median age 66 years) and 10 healthy adults as controls (four female, six male; median age 29 years). CMPD group included six chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), seven essential thrombocythemia (ET), three polycythemia vera (PV), two agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM). All seven MDS patients were the FAB subtype of refractory anemia (RA). Bone marrow biopsy sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and for reticulin were examined for the presence of fibrosis. The median plasma bFGF level was 18.2 pg/ml (interquartile range, IQR: 15.2-26.7) in patients with CMPD, 18.0 pg/ml (IQR: 15.8-26.4) in patients with MDS, 13.6 pg/ml (IQR: 9.9-20.0) in the control group. The bFGF levels were significantly higher in patients with CMPD in comparison with the healthy control group (P = 0.031). Circulating bFGF tended to be significantly lower in relation to the development of marrow fibrosis (P = 0.028). The complicated interactions of bFGF and fibrosis in the context of CMPD may be either 'cause' or 'effect'. The bFGF might represent an important link between angiogenesis, fibrosis, and clonal neoplastic hematopoiesis during the development of CMPD.

The predictability of factor V Leiden (FV:Q(506)) gene mutation via clotting-based diagnosis of activated protein C resistance.

After the discovery of activated protein C resistance (APCR) due to factor V Leiden mutation and the causal relationship of the phenomenon with clinical thromboembolism, a wide variety of functional clotting-based assays were developed for testing of APCR in relation to the specific DNA-based analysis of FV:Q(506) Leiden. The aim of this study is to assess a clotting-based APCR assay using procoagulant crotalidae snake venom with respect to the sensitivity, specificity, and predictability for the presence of the factor V Leiden mutation. APCR testing and factor V DNA analyses have been performed concurrently on 319 patient specimens. APCR values of the patients with homozygous factor V Leiden mutation (70.4+/-13.5 s) were significantly lower (p<0.001) in comparison to the subjects with the heterozygous mutation (87.6+/-13.4 s). The assay is highly sensitive (98.7%) and specific (91.9%) for the screening of factor V Leiden mutation. The sensitivity and specificity of the APCR testing reached to 100% below the cut-off value of 120 s among the patients with homozygous factor V Leiden mutation. Therefore, this method could help the desired effective optimal screening strategy for the laboratory search of hereditary thrombophilia focusing on the diagnosis of APCR due to FV:Q(506).

Protein C inhibitor and serum amyloid A in immune thrombocytopaenic purpura.

In immune thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP), phagocytic cells prematurely destroy platelets opsonized by anti-platelet auto-antibodies, while residual platelets rescued from these autoimmune attacks are hyperfunctioning. The exact pathobiological basis of this phenomenon is unknown. Protein C inhibitor (PCI), a platelet alpha-granule pro-coagulant molecule, is released on activation of platelets. Serum amyloid A (SAA; an acute phase protein), however, inhibits platelet aggregation and modulates platelet adhesion. We aimed to assess circulating soluble plasma PCI and SAA concentrations in 17 patients with newly diagnosed ITP and ten healthy volunteers. Plasma PCI concentrations tended to be higher in ITP patients, despite absolute thrombocytopaenia, than in normal controls. SAA levels were significantly higher in ITP patients compared with the control group. We conclude that secretion of the alpha-granule PCI content of platelets could result from platelet activation, and that PCI may be the link between platelet microparticles and haemostatically active ITP platelets. Increased concentrations of SAA and PCI may interfere with the disordered and compensatory pro-coagulant mechanisms of ITP.

Rational use of the PFA-100 device for screening of platelet function disorders and von Willebrand disease.

Two hundred and five patients referred for evaluation of platelet functions and 126 healthy controls were tested with the PFA-100 instrument. A cut-off value of 150 s for collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) closure time (CT) produced most acceptable sensitivity (90%), specificity (85.2%), and positive (82.6%) and negative (91.6%) predictivity values for screening of platelet function disorders and von Willebrand disease (vWD). All patients with vWD and Glanzmann thrombasthenia could be detected by PFA-100. Both CEPI and collagen/adenosine diphosphate (CADP) CTs were elevated in all of these cases. Sensitivity of the device was 81.6% for patients with platelet secretion defects. CADP CT was normal in 63.9% of the patients in this subgroup. Specificity (47%) and positive predictivity (57%) of the instrument were diminished in patients with low hemoglobin concentrations. Depending on the results, an algorithm was developed for screening of platelet function disorders and vWD with PFA-100.

Plasma thrombospondin in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) rarely suffer life-threatening haemorrhages despite significant thrombocytopenia, probably because large numbers of hyperfunctioning platelets are present. Thrombospondin is a platelet alpha-granule protein and its plasma level may reflect platelet activation. We assessed circulating thrombospondin levels in 12 newly diagnosed ITP patients (one man; 11 women, aged 36 +/- 16 years) before they were treated for ITP. Twelve healthy people (four men; eight women, aged 31 +/- 11 years) acted as controls. Plasma thrombospondin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Thrombospondin concentrations tended to be higher, despite thrombocytopenia, in ITP patients (158.8 +/- 28.2 ng/ml) compared with controls (120.7 +/- 18.2 ng/ml). The difference was not statistically significant, but the relatively high circulating thrombospondin concentrations we observed suggest that residual platelets could be activated in ITP, thus indicating a more benign clinical course compared with aplastic thrombocytopenia.

Two common genetic thrombotic risk factors: factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A in adult Turkish patients with thrombosis.

The prevalence of genetic risk factors for thrombosis varies greatly in different parts of the world, both in patients with thrombosis and in the general population. Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A (PT G20210A) mutations are the most common genetic defects leading to thrombosis. We have previously reported that those two thrombotic risk alleles are frequently found in Turkish children with thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of FVL and PT G20210A and their clinical manifestations in adult Turkish patients with thrombosis. Between January 1997 and February 2000, 146 patients with documented thrombosis were investigated in our center for the presence of the FVL and PT G20210A mutations. Forty-five of 146 patients with thrombosis (30.8%) were detected to have FVL mutation. Among those cases with the FVL mutation, seven (4.8%) had homozygote and 38 (26%) had heterozygote mutation. The PT G20210A mutation was detected in 10 of the 146 patients with thrombosis (6.8%). Another six cases (4.1%) had both FVL and PT G20210A mutations. The overall frequency of these two common risk alleles in our adult population with thrombosis was 41.6%. Our findings reveal that FVL and PT G20210A mutations are significant genetic risk factors contributing to the pathophysiology of thrombosis in the Turkish population.

Interferon alfa-2b, colchicine, and benzathine penicillin versus colchicine and benzathine penicillin in Behçet's disease: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Sight-threatening eye involvement is a serious complication of Behçet's disease. Extraocular complications such as arthritis, vascular occlusive disorders, mucocutaneous lesions, and central-nervous-system disease may lead to morbidity and even death. We designed a prospective study in newly diagnosed patients without previous eye disease to assess whether prevention of eye involvement and extraocular manifestations, and preservation of visual acuity are possible with combination treatments with and without interferon alfa-2b. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned 3 million units interferon alfa-2b subcutaneously every other day for the first 6 months plus 1.5 mg colchicine orally daily and 1.2 million units benzathine penicillin intramuscularly every 3 weeks (n=67), or colchicine and benzathine penicillin alone (n=68). The primary endpoint was visual-acuity loss. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Significantly fewer patients who were treated with interferon had eye involvement than did patients who did not receive interferon (eight vs 27, relative risk 0.21 [95% CI 0.09-0.50], p<0.001). Ocular attack rate was 0.2 (SD 0.62) per year with interferon therapy and 1.02 (1.13) without interferon therapy (p=0.0001). Visual-acuity loss was significantly lower among patients treated with interferon than in those without interferon (two vs 13, relative risk 0.13 [95% CI 0.03-0.60], p=0.003). Arthritis episodes, vascular events, and mucocutaneous lesions were also less frequent in patients treated with interferon than in those not receiving interferon. No serious side-effects were reported. INTERPRETATION: Therapy with interferon alfa-2b, colchicine, and benzathine penicillin seems to be an effective regimen in Behçet's disease for the prevention of recurrent eye attacks and extraocular complications, and for the protection of vision.

Plasma levels of coagulation and fibrinolysis markers in acute ischemic stroke patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-defined risk factor for ischemic stroke. Patients with lone AF represent a subgroup of AF patients with the lowest lifelong stroke risk. Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) confers a hypercoagulable state resulting in an increased risk of thromboembolism. This study was performed to determine the contributory role of alteration in the hemostatic markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis in patients with lone AF during acute ischemic stroke episode. We studied thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) concentrations in patients with acute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke due to atherosclerotic large artery disease (n=50), lone AF (n=24) and cardioembolism (n=21). The values were compared with those of age-matched control subjects with lone AF and sinus rhythm (n=21 and 15, respectively). The mean F1+2 concentration was higher in the control subjects with lone AF in comparison with those without AF (p=0.014). Patients with stroke due to possible cardioembolism, from lone AF or other causes, had higher TAT (and marginally higher F1+2) concentrations than those with atherosclerotic stroke (p<0.001). tPA concentrations were not different among groups (p=0.89). PAI-I levels were marginally higher in stroke patients with lone AF and atherothrombotic large artery disease compared to the controls without AF (p=0.05). These results suggest that in the acute period of ischemic stroke secondary to lone AF, enhancement of the coagulatory activity occurs as a result of increased thrombin generation, similar to other possible sources of cardioembolism. Observed hemostatic alterations in acute ischemic stroke associated with lone AF may indicate some therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome associated with FV:Q506 and prothrombin 20210A--a case report.

Effort thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein (Paget-Schroetter syndrome) develops usually secondary to heavy arm exertion. An underlying chronic venous compressive anomaly at the thoracic outlet or intimal damage of the axillary vein following forceful hyperabduction, external rotation of the shoulder joint has been proposed to explain the pathophysiology of this thrombosis. This condition is usually not attributed to an underlying hypercoagulability such as deficiency of natural coagulation inhibitors. Here, the authors present a case with thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein following an effort, with factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210A mutations. Both factor V Leiden and the genetic variant in the prothrombin gene have been shown to confer an increased risk for venous thrombosis. Although rare, effort thrombosis may develop in a patient with hereditary thrombophilia, so laboratory evaluation should include the common causes of thrombosis.

Selectins and IL-6 during the clinical course of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

'Stress thrombocytes', i.e. large and presumably hyperfunctioning platelets, is a well-known characteristic of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Therefore, despite what may be severe thrombocytopenia these patients generally do not suffer from severe life-threatening hemorrhage. The plasma level of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) is a valuable marker reflecting platelet activation. Available data suggest that interleukin-6 (IL-6) may contribute to the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status and kinetics of IL-6 and selectins, which are involved in the platelet function, production, and immunologic functions, during the clinical course of ITP, that may be helpful for understanding the biology of the disease. Twenty-two ITP patients were studied prospectively in the course of their disease. Sixteen, 8 and 6 patients were available after platelet recovery, relapse and splenectomy, respectively. Fifteen healthy persons served as a control group. Higher levels of both sP-selectin and IL-6 were observed in all clinical stages of disease compared to the control group. However, more prominent elevations were present during active stages of ITP, i.e. pretreatment (p < 0.001 vs. control group for both sP-selectin and IL-6) and relapse periods (p < 0.001 vs. control group for both sP-selectin and IL-6). Pretreatment soluble L-selectin and soluble E-selectin levels were not different from the controls. Both sP-selectin (r = -0.32, p = 0.019) and IL-6 (r = -0. 41, p = 0.002) levels inversely correlated with platelet count during disease course. There was a positive correlation between the sL-selectin level and leukocyte count (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). These results suggest that residual platelets are activated in ITP, which offers a relatively benign clinical course compared to other thrombocytopenias. High IL-6 concentration during thrombocytopenia may be involved in compensatory megakaryocytopoiesis and augmented 'residual platelet' functions in ITP.

Increased systemic coagulation activity in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis: assessment of the clinical and echocardiographic determinants.

In this study, we aimed to determine systemic coagulation activity in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis and to define determinants of a possible prethrombotic state. Peripheral venous plasma level of thrombin-antithrombin III complex was measured in 84 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who had no left atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography. The patients had significantly higher thrombin-antithrombin III complex values (mean +/- SD = 9.6+/-15.9 ng/ ml) compared with the healthy subjects (2.1+/-1.8 ng/ml) (P<0.001). Among many clinical and echocardiographic variables, severe mitral regurgitation (odds ratio = 6.7, P<0.001) and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (odds ratio = 22.8, P<0.001) appeared as significant predictors of the increased systemic coagulation activity in multivariate logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, systemic coagulation activity is increased in the patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, and coexistence of severe mitral regurgitation and presence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast are determinants of this increment.

Evaluation of the haemostatic system during ketoacidotic deterioration of diabetes mellitus.

Clinical observations have indicated the frequent development of thrombotic complications during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This study aimed to examine whether haemostatic changes that could lead to a thrombotic tendency occur during ketoacidosis. Plasma levels of in vivo haemostatic markers reflecting activation degrees of the coagulation system, fibrinolytic system, platelets and endothelium were assayed in 34 patients with DKA, both at diagnosis and 1 week after recovery. We found coagulation system and platelet activation and endothelial injury/activation in the patients at diagnosis of DKA. Although significant improvements were observed after recovery, only platelet activity was completely normalized. Fibrinolytic activity was also increased, both at diagnosis and after recovery, compared to the control group. However, although coagulation activity was prominently increased at diagnosis compared to the recovery period, there was no change in fibrinolytic activity in the same periods; on the contrary, the fibrinolytic capacity of the endothelium was diminished at diagnosis of DKA compared to the recovery period, suggesting the presence of relative hypofibrinolysis during DKA. Indications for a role of hyperglycaemia in the emergence of haemostatic disturbances during DKA were observed.