Abstract

Bone marrow smears taken at diagnosis and subsequent haematological relapse from 41 patients with lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were compared to assess the proportion of blast cells showing a positive periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction at different stages of the same disease. 20 patients never displayed more than 10% PAS positive blasts at any stage, and of these 8 never had any PAS positivity at all. 7 patients maintained a proportion of PAS positive cells over 10% of the total but with no loss or gain in the numbers of such cells. 14 patients showed a significant change in the PAS reaction during the course of their disease, 7 showing a marked reduction in PAS positive cells, and 7 showing an equally marked increase. From these results it seems that the PAS reaction does not identify a sub-type of ALL or mark the degree of differentiation of a given case. It could be indicative of a specific stage of the lymphoblast mitotic cycle.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.