Understanding Rare Anemias: Emerging Frontiers for Diagnosis and Treatment.

Background-This review provides a comprehensive overview of rare anemias, emphasizing their hereditary and acquired causes, diagnostic advancements, and evolving treatment strategies. It outlines the significance of rare anemias within public health, historical challenges in recognition and treatment, and the role of European initiatives like ENERCA and EuroBloodNet in advancing care. Content-This document discusses diagnostic technologies like next-generation sequencing and the impact of artificial intelligence, alongside the promising avenues of gene therapy, targeted drug treatments, and stem cell transplantation. It underscores the importance of a patient-tailored approach, advances in diagnostic tools, and the necessity for continued research, patient advocacy, and international collaboration to improve outcomes for individuals with rare anemias.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Anemia-A Focus on RBC Deformability and Membrane Proteomics-Integrated Observational Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The multifaceted impact of COVID-19 extends beyond the respiratory system, encompassing intricate interactions with various physiological systems. This study elucidates the potential association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and anemia, with a particular emphasis on the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs), stability of hemoglobin, enzymatic activities, and proteomic profiles. METHODS: The study encompasses a cohort of 74 individuals, including individuals positive for COVID-19, a control group, and patients with other viral infections to discern the specific effects attributable to COVID-19. The analysis of red blood cells was focused on deformability measured by osmotic gradient ektacytometry, hemoglobin stability, and glycolytic enzyme activity. Furthermore, membrane proteins were examined using advanced proteomics techniques to capture molecular-level changes. RESULTS: Findings from the study suggest a correlation between anemia and exacerbated outcomes in COVID-19 patients, marked by significant elevations in d-dimer, serum procalcitonin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. These observations suggest that chronic kidney disease (CKD) may play a role in the development of anemia in COVID-19 patients, particularly those of advanced age with comorbidities. Furthermore, the proteomic analyses have highlighted a complex relationship between omics data and RBC parameters, enriching our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This research substantiates the complex interrelationship between COVID-19 and anemia, with a specific emphasis on the potential repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection on RBCs. The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the extensive impact of COVID-19 on RBCs.

The value of organ and tissue biovigilance: a cross-sectional analysis.

Introduction: Biovigilance (BV) systems aim to improve the quality and safety of tissues and organs for transplantation. This study describes the Catalan BV system and analyzes its utility. Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of notifications on serious adverse events (SAEs) and reactions (SARs) since the implementation of the BV system (2008 for tissues and 2016 for organs) until 2020. Variables are presented to describe the most common critical steps of the pathway and complications associated with the quality and safety of tissues and organs. Results: A total of 154 and 125 notifications were reported to the Tissue and the Organ BV systems, respectively. Most SAEs were related to unexpected donor diseases and implemented actions were assured on those deemed preventable. Regarding SARs, donor-transmitted infections and malignancies (only organs) were the most common, followed by graft failure (tissues) and process-related (organs). The incidence of SAEs and SARs related to tissue was 3.44‰ and 0.22‰, respectively. The corresponding figures for organs were 31.48‰ and 8.8‰, respectively. Discussion: The analysis of the notifications to the Catalan BV systems has provided useful information about existing risks associated with the quality and safety of tissues and organs, and enabled the implementation of actions targeted to diminish risks and mitigate damage.

Déficit de piruvato cinasa eritrocitaria en España: estudio de 15 casos / Red cell pyruvate kinase deficiency in Spain: A study of 15 cases

Antecedentes y objetivo: El déficit de piruvato cinasa (DPK) es una enfermedad hereditaria rara, que cursa con hemólisis crónica y anemia de intensidad variable. Su heterogeneidad genética es elevada, habiéndose descrito unas 240 mutaciones diferentes. Pacientes y metodología: Se han estudiado 15 pacientes con DPK en los que se ha secuenciado la totalidad del gen PKLR, incluyendo las regiones promotora, exónicas, intrónicas flanqueantes y 3’UTR. Resultados: Según la intensidad del cuadro clínico, los pacientes se han clasificado en 3 grandes grupos: I) grave y muy grave (8 pacientes); II) moderado (2 pacientes), y III) leve (5 pacientes). Se han identificado 18 alelos diferentes, de los que 6 son mutaciones nuevas, no descritas con anterioridad, siendo la mutación PKLRc.721G > T la más prevalente (26,67%), seguida de la mutación PKLR c.1456C > T (13,33%). Trece de los 15 pacientes mostraron un genotipo doble heterocigoto y 2 homocigoto. Conclusiones: En España, la heterogeneidad del patrón genético de la PKLR continúa siendo elevada, aunque algo diferente a la observada en un estudio anterior (1998). Se concluye que la secuenciación total del gen PKLR es imprescindible tanto para la caracterización de los pacientes como para la realización del consejo genético (AU)

Background and objective: Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is a rare, inherited disease causing chronic hemolysis and anemia of varying intensity. The genetic heterogeneity of PKD is high and, to this day, over 240 different mutations have been identified. Patients and methods: 15 unrelated patients affected by PKD have been studied. PKLR gene sequencing was performed by SANGER, including the determination of promoter regions, exonic, intronic flanking and 3’UTR. Results: Patients were classified into 3 groups based on the intensity of their clinical symptoms: I) severe and very severe (8 patients); II) moderate (2 patients), and III) mild (5 patients). Six out of the 18 alleles found were new mutations which had not been described previously, with the PKLR c.721G>T mutation being the most prevalent (26.67%), followed by the PKLR c.1456C>T mutation (13.33%). Conclusions: In Spain, the genetic heterogeneity of PKLR is still high but differs from that observed in the previous study carried out in 1998. Total PKLR gene sequencing is necessary for the characterization of all patients with PKD and for genetic counseling (AU)

ENERCA. A pioneer EC Project for patients' rights in cross-border healthcare implementation

ENERCA (European Reference Network for Rare and Congenital Anemias) has highlighted two main goals: I) a specific framework for cross-border healthcare; and II) a European cooperation for helping in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients. In what follows, we briefly review some of the main issues and goals of this project

ENERCA -Red de Referencia Europea para las anemias raras y congénitas- ha puesto de manifiesto dos objetivos principales: I) un marco específico para la asistencia sanitaria transfronteriza; y II) una cooperación europea para ayudar en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes. A continuación, se repasan brevemente algunas de las cuestiones y objetivos principales del Proyecto

Hemoglobinopatía Newcastle: utilidad de la cromatografía y descripción del primer caso en España / Hemoglobinopathy Newcastle: use of chromatography and first case reported in Spain

Fundamento y objetivo: Las hemoglobinopatías inestables presentan sustituciones de aminoácidos en lugares críticos de la molécula que disminuyen su solubilidad y facilitan su desnaturalización y precipitación. Se describe aquí el primer caso de hemoglobina (Hb) Newcastle en España. Caso clínico: Niña de 5 años que consultó por fiebre de 4 días. En la exploración física destacaban palidez cutánea y mucosa, subictericia y esplenomegalia. En la analítica sanguínea destacaban: Hb de 79 g/l, hematocrito del 27%, volumen corpuscular medio de 93,4 fl y reticulocitos del 3%. En el frotis de sangre periférica destacaban anisocitosis y policromasia. Resultados: La prueba de estabilidad térmica fue positiva. La electroforesis mostró una banda difusa entre HbA2 y HbA. La cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC) mostró una Hb no identificada, que correspondía al 12% del total. El estudio molecular demostró la mutación CD92 His * Pro, Hb Newcastle en estado heterocigoto, patrón que se repitió en la madre. Conclusiones: La Hb Newcastle se ha descrito anteriormente en 3 pacientes de origen inglés, ruso y chino. Su expresividad clínica es de anemia hemolítica crónica con crisis de agudización tras la ingesta de fármacos oxidantes o infecciones. A diferencia de la electroforesis, la HPLC permite el diagnóstico diferencial entre la Hb Newcastle y otras Hb inestables como la Hb Köln

Background and objective: Unstable hemoglobins (Hb) show amino acid substitutions in critical places that produce a decrease of molecular solubility facilitating its denaturalization and precipitation. We describe the first case of Hb Newcastle in Spain. Case report: 5 year-old girl who came to visit due to fever over 4 days. Physical examination disclosed pale skin with subicteral mucosaes and splenomegaly. Lab analysis disclosed: Hb, 79 g/l; haematocrit, 0.27 l/l, mean corpuscular volume 93.4 fl, and reticulocyte count of 3%, along with anysocytosis and polychromasia. Results: Hemoglobin heat stability test was positive. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed a low band at HbA2. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed an Hb peak corresponding to the 12% of total Hb. Beta globin gene sequentiation showed the CD92 His * Pro mutation Hb Newcastle in heterocygote condition in patient and her mother. Conclusions: Hb Newcastle has been described in 3 patients of English, Russian and Chinese origin. Clinical manifestation is chronic hemolytic anemia with severe crisis after oxidant drugs ingestion or infections. By using the electrophoretic method, a diffuse pattern of Hb bands between HbA and HbA2 is observed, difficulting the precise identification of the abnormal Hb. This inconvenience is overcomed by using HPLC that allows the clear identification of the abnormal Hb Newcastle