Assessment of qualitative functional parameters of stored red blood cells from donors with sickle cell trait (AS) or with heterozygote (AC) status.

We have compared the storage quality of three groups of 10 red blood cell concentrates of the AA, AS and AC haemoglobin phenotype. The 30 samples were drawn on CPD on day 0, and were centrifuged 6 hours later. Leukocytes were removed on D1 and the samples were kept at +4 degrees C for 42 days in SAG-mannitol. Viability tests were performed using a series of in vitro tests, including: ATP, 2,3-DPG, K+, glucose, lactic acid, pH, osmotic fragility tests and erythrocytic morphology determination. Results demonstrated a good functional quality for AS and AC haemoglobin RBCs. Higher 2,3-DPG levels were found in Hb AS and Hb AC. A lower osmotic fragility in Hb AC and AS RBCs versus Hb AA was observed; no significant difference was found in terms of ATP levels and other parameters. In addition no variation in S and C haemoglobin levels and no sickling were observed. In conclusion, these results indicate an overall good quality for haemoglobin AS and AC RBCs. Further in vivo studies must now be performed in order to confirm the transfusional quality of haemoglobin AS and AC RBCs.

Immunological findings in selected aspects of HTLV-1-associated neurological disease - abstract

The discovery in 1985 in Martinique of an association between human T lymphotrophic virus type (HTLV -1) and tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) (Gessain et al, 1985) opened a new chapter in the search for viruses in chronic human neurological disease. A few HTLV-1 seropositive patients have been reported to present with a clinical picture of a slowly progressive disorder resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but with a slower evolution (Vernant et al, 1989). In addition, pathological findings in some TSP cases have included anterior horn neuron depletion (Robertson and Cruickshank, 1972; Arimura et al, 1989). We have monitored selected humoral immune factors as well as levels of inflammatory proteins in asymptomatics and normal controls, using a computer-aided electrophoresis technique. The results showed a significant presence of hypergamma-globulinaemia, predominantly IgC in TSP patients. Interestingly enough, as well, immune complexes, complement cascade activation in those HTLV-1 seropositive patients with anterior horn-like neurological disorders. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of the occurrence of an immune complex-mediated vasculitis phenomenon in the latter subjects. Monitoring of these biological factors may represent a useful tool in the diagnosis and understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms of these disorders (AU)