Morphology of Blood and Bone MarrowSecond EditionGiusepped'Onofrio and GinaZini

Abstract

This is a handsome publication by Zini and d'Onofrio two experts in their field. I have not seen the first edition so I don't know how different it is from the second edition. The second edition is translated from the Italian by Professor Barbara Bain, a fluent Italian speaker. Translating from one language into another is not always easy but I think Professor Bain has been largely successful. The book covers morphology of blood and bone marrow as stated in the title. Chapter one contains a good general introduction to morphology and staining. The authors delineate the morphological changes seen in Anaemias, Acute Leukaemias, Myelodysplasia, Neoplasms of Mature B,T and NK cells and Plasma cell proliferative disorders. They also provide a detailed description of automated instruments used in haematology. Each section is accompanied by a short text. The book, as it should be, is heavily laden with images, most of which are of excellent quality. The authors frequently refer to the WHO Classification of Tumours of Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues or the ‘Blue Book’ as it is commonly known. Although there are more images in d'Onofrio and Zini's book than the ‘Blue Book’ it is difficult to know if it will supersede the new edition of the ‘Blue Book’ which comes out in 2015. The authors do not specify at whom the book is aimed. The preface is very short and written by the translator who says ‘Despite the enormous advances made in immunophenotyping and in cytogenetics and molecular aspects of haematology, morphology of the blood and marrow remains fundamental in haematological diagnosis’, a statement with which I totally agree. I have a few minor quibbles. The authors mention ‘Wright’ and ‘Giemsa’ stains but do not tell us which stains have been used for the images. I think it would be better to put an arrow pointing to the cell the authors are describing rather than saying ‘clockwise from left’. Descriptions of morphology should be on the same page as the image, wherever possible e.g. description of lymphocytes on page 30 and photographs on page 36! Fig 1.47. Surely ingested cells are erythrocytes and not erythroblasts. More stress could be given to WBC changes caused by EDTA and growth factors. In the section on Erythropoiesis and Anaemia the word ‘physiopathology’ is used (p.94) whereas pathophysiology is more frequently used! A thorough explanation of RBC indices prior to the introduction of automated cell counters is given. The authors should lead with a statement that automated cell counting is one of the ‘great’ inventions of the 20th century. Yet in spite of this it is easier to evaluate red cell morphology on a freshly made blood film than an automated one. Page 182, table 3.2 is NOT IPPS as stated but IPPS-R. The authors state (P. 285) that AML is caused by ……. We do not know the cause of AML. We know a lot about genetic and epigenetic changes but little about the aetiology! I think the term ‘aleukaemic leukaemia should be forgotten. The book costs $220.00 and approximately €185.00 (the dollar is very strong at present) so perhaps one copy kept in the laboratory is adequate. Hopefully this book will be a good companion with the new edition of the ‘Blue Book’.