Absolute Neutrophil Research Articles

Hematological and immunological profiles of podoconiosis patients in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Podoconiosis is a geo-chemically induced, non-infectious, familial, chronic lymphedema of the legs that occurs among barefoot people in rural, farming communities with extreme poverty. Despite a growing body of research surrounding the disease, the pathogenesis of the disease is relatively unknown. This study aims to investigate the immunological and hematological profiles of individuals affected by podoconiosis in comparison to healthy controls. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in West Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia involving adult individuals clinically diagnosed with podoconiosis (n = 53) and healthy controls (n = 67) from the same area. A survey was conducted to gather information on sociodemographic, lifestyle characteristics, and clinical features of the disease. About nine ml whole blood samples were collected for hematological and immunological testing, which included IL-4, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-10, TGF β and IFN-γ. Overall, we observed significant differences in hematological parameters between individuals with podoconiosis and healthy controls. Specifically, we found a notable reduction in white blood cell count, with an adjusted mean difference (AMD) of -1.15 (95% CI: -2.09 to -0.21; p = 0.017). Additionally, the differential white blood count showed a decrease in absolute neutrophils (AMD = -3.42, 95% CI: -4.15 to -2.69; p < 0.001) and absolute eosinophils (AMD = -0.20, 95% CI: -0.37 to -0.03; p = 0.019). Conversely, we noted an increase in absolute lymphocytes (AMD = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.50 to 1.46; p < 0.001) and monocytes (AMD = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.85; p = 0.001). However, we didn't observe a significant difference in cytokine profile between podoconiosis patients and healthy controls. The decrease in neutrophil counts among podoconiosis cases compared to healthy controls may provide insight into the potential disease pathogenesis, suggesting the involvement of autoimmune-related mechanisms, as it demonstrates a similar hematological profile to other autoimmune disorders.

Complete blood count parameters and inflammation-related biomarkers in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in complete blood count parameters (CBC) and inflammation-related biomarkers, MPV/PC, PLR, NLR, LWR, LMR, NMR, and LCR, among patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and patients with colorectal adenomas. The study included 155 patients who were divided into two groups according to histopathological analysis - 74 adenomas patients and 81 CRC patients. A routine examination of CBC was conducted on Sysmex XN1000 whereas CRP was measured on Alinity ci-series. Statistical analysis was performed by ROC curve analysis using MedCalc Statistical Software. In CRC patients, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were lower, while RDW was higher (p < 0.001), compared to patients with adenomas. Total leukocyte count (p = 0 .006), absolute neutrophils (p = 0.005), and absolute monocytes (p = 0.007) were lower while relative eosinophils (p = 0.001) and relative basophils (p = 0.001) were higher in CRC patients. Platelet count (p < 0.001) was significantly higher and MPV (p = 0.003) was significantly lower in CRC patients. Furthermore, MPV/PC (p < 0.001) was significantly lower and PLR (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in CRC. Moreover, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed poor diagnostic accuracy, for all tested parameters (AUC was 0.7 or less). PC, MPV, MPV/PC, and PLR were significantly different between study groups, but ROC analysis revealed poor diagnostic accuracy. Lower hemo globin levels in CRC patients are possibly due to more frequent and excessive bleeding. Higher levels of basophils and eosinophils in CRC patients are indicators of inflammatory reaction, which is linked to CRC.

Abstract 4119517: Association of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome with Cardiovascular Events after Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-edge Repair

Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following cardiovascular interventions is associated with adverse events during hospitalization and follow-up. Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) is increasingly utilized for treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR). Hypothesis: It is unknown whether SIRS following M-TEER may occur and be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Goals: to investigate the frequency and impact of SIRS following M-TEER on major cardiovascular events (MACE) and MR recurrence. Methods: A total of 158 consecutive patients with severe MR undergoing M-TEER were studied. SIRS was defined by leukocytosis (≥12×10 9 /L) and fever (T≥38 °C) within 48 hours after intervention. Baseline inflammation was measured by absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The primary endpoint of MACE was the composite of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, and all-cause death. Recurrent MR at follow-up was also recorded. Results: The mean patient age was 80.8±8.8 years. 44 (27.9%) developed SIRS. NLR correlated with onset of leukocytosis and fever (p=0.04). During a median follow-up of 12.5±8.2 months, the primary endpoint occurred in 27 (17.1%) patients (6 MI, 5 strokes and 16 deaths). Patients with SIRS more often had severe MR (79.5% vs. 62.7%, p=0.02) and adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling indicated by lack of reduction in end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at follow-up (p=0.12 for SIRS-patients vs. p=0.0012 for non-SIRS patients). After adjustment for pertinent variables, SIRS (HR 3.24, CI 1.13-9.31, p=0.03) was independently associated with MACE. Conclusion: SIRS after M-TEER is a strong independent predictor of MACE. Closer follow-up is warranted as patients with SIRS have more severe MR and unfavorable LV remodeling at follow-up.

Association of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome With Cardiovascular Events After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following cardiovascular interventions is associated with adverse events during hospitalization and follow-up. Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is increasingly utilized for treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR). We investigated whether SIRS following mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair may occur and be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A total of 158 consecutive patients with severe MR undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair were studied. SIRS was defined by leukocytosis (≥12 × 109/L) and fever (≥38 °C) within 48 hours after intervention. Baseline inflammation was measured by absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. The primary end point of major cardiovascular events was the composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and all-cause death. Recurrent MR at follow-up was also recorded. The mean patient age was 80.8±8.8 years. Forty-four (27.9%) developed SIRS. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio correlated with onset of leukocytosis and fever (P=0.04). During a median follow-up of 12.5 (5.4-17.4) months, the primary end point occurred in 27 (17.1%) patients (6 myocardial infarction, 5 strokes, and 16 deaths). Patients with SIRS more often had severe MR (79.5% versus 62.7%, P=0.02) at follow-up. After adjustment for pertinent variables, SIRS (HR 2.73 [95% CI, 1.08-6.86]; P=0.03) was independently associated with major cardiovascular events. SIRS after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is a strong independent predictor of major cardiovascular events. Closer follow-up is warranted because patients with SIRS have more severe MR at follow-up.

CXCR4 antagonism ameliorates leukocyte abnormalities in a preclinical model of WHIM syndrome.

WHIM (Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis) syndrome is an ultra-rare, combined primary immunodeficiency and chronic neutropenic disorder characterized by a range of clinical presentations, including peripheral neutropenia, lymphopenia, and recurrent infections. WHIM syndrome is most often caused by gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). As such, inhibition of CXCR4 with XOLREMDI® (mavorixafor), an orally bioavailable CXCR4 antagonist, demonstrated clinically meaningful increases in absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and concomitant reduction in infections in patients with WHIM syndrome, resulting in its recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. The impact of CXCR4 antagonism on other aspects of the pathobiology in WHIM syndrome, such as lymphopoiesis and leukocyte trafficking between primary and secondary lymphoid organs, is less understood. In the current study, the effects of CXCR4 antagonism on leukocyte trafficking and distribution in primary and secondary lymphoid organs were investigated in a mouse model of WHIM syndrome carrying the heterozygous Cxcr41013 mutation. Cxcr4+/1013 and Cxcr4 wild-type mice received the orally bioavailable CXCR4 antagonist X4-185. Blood, spleen and bone marrow samples were collected for numeration, flow cytometry, and functional studies. Cxcr4+/1013 mice exhibited profound peripheral blood leukopenia as seen in patients with WHIM syndrome. CXCR4 antagonism corrected circulating leukopenia and mobilized functional neutrophils without disrupting granulopoiesis in the bone marrow of Cxcr4+/1013 mice. Furthermore, Cxcr4+/1013 displayed aberrant splenic T and B-cell counts and frequency. Treatment with X4-185 normalized splenic T-cell abnormalities, correcting the reduced CD8+ T-cell numbers, restoring the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, and ameliorating peripheral blood T-cell lymphopenia. In addition, CXCR4 antagonism was able to correct the abnormal frequencies and numbers of splenic marginal zone and follicular B cells in Cxcr4+/1013 mice, and ultimately normalize B-cell lymphopenia in the peripheral circulation. Our study provides comprehensive evidence that oral dosing with a CXCR4 antagonist can effectively correct WHIM-associated neutrophil and lymphocyte abnormalities in a mouse model of WHIM syndrome. These findings extend our understanding of how targeting the dysregulated CXCR4 signaling pathway can ameliorate the pathogenesis of WHIM syndrome.

A practical approach to febrile cancer patients: Diagnostic stewardship in Oncology units.

Cancer and cytotoxic chemotherapy used for its treatment predispose to severe and often fatal infections. Prompt diagnosis and timely antibiotic therapy are crucial, with delays in therapy initiation having high mortality. Complete blood count (CBC) is an inexpensive, standardized, and preliminary investigation for the management and follow-up of cancer patients with diagnostic and prognostic value. We studied the types of infections associated with various cancers treated with chemotherapy, their etiologies and susceptibility patterns, and the hematological profile of these patients as predictors of infection. A total of 21 patients (12 solid and 9 hematological malignancies) presented with 31 febrile episodes. White Blood cell count (2079 cells/cu. mm), percentage of neutrophils (52.9%), absolute neutrophil (137.5 cells/cu. mm), and platelet count (1,77,507 cells/cu. mm) were significantly lower in the 11 patients with febrile neutropenia. The absolute lymphocyte count (412.7 cells/cu. mm) was reduced with a strikingly low Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (6.07) in patients with neutropenia. Laboratory and radiological evidence were present in 14/15 episodes of hematological malignancies (p-0.218) whereas unexplained clinical sepsis was common in solid malignancies (p-0.0202). The majority of documented infections were bacterial, caused by gram-negative bacilli, often showing multi-drug resistance. Infectious etiologies were identified in 71.4% of the patients with febrile neutropenia for >5days. Bacterial infections developed within 2 days of neutropenia, whereas viral and fungal infections manifested in prolonged neutropenia. Multi-site infections and higher mortality rates were observed in patients with febrile neutropenia. (p<0.04). Febrile neutropenia is a common complication among patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early, rapid, and accurate diagnosis is key to prompt intervention. Hematological parameters such as Total Leukocyte count, platelet count, NLR, and Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are promising biomarkers in conjunction with morphological changes in neutrophils, thus proving that CBC and peripheral smears are simple, easily available, cost-effective, and highly dependable screening tools, especially in resource-poor settings.

Decidual Granulomas in Placenta: A unique finding in Preeclamptic Pregnancy

Abstract Introduction/Objective Decidual granulomatous inflammation is a rare finding in the placenta, scarcely reported in the literature. We present an unusual case of a young woman with severe preeclampsia and histological presence of decidual granuloma, involving the placental membranes. Methods/Case Report A 34-year-old female, Gravida 2 Para 1, with prior term vaginal delivery without significant history presented at 26 weeks and 6 days of gestational age with decreased fetal movements. Her home blood pressure was 170 mm of Hg systolic and on presentation, was consistently within the range of &amp;lt;a href=“tel:192- 197/94-97”&amp;gt;192-197/94-97&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; mm of Hg. Biophysical profile of the fetus was 2/10. Complete blood count showed leukocytosis with absolute neutrophilia and urinalysis revealed slight increase in urine protein/creatinine ratio. Clinical diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was made. After initial stabilization, the patient underwent Cesarean section resulting in a premature baby with an uneventful postoperative course. The placenta was sent for histopathological examination. Grossly, the placental disc showed unremarkable membranes with normal appearing fetal and maternal surfaces. Sectioning revealed a central 4.2 cm hemorrhagic area and six tan-white wedge-shaped nodules ranging from 0.8-1.8 cm, occupying approximately 5% and 40% of the maternal surface, respectively. Microscopic examination revealed patchy non-caseating granulomas limited to the decidua, patchy intra-placental hematomas, placental infarcts and chronic villitis. Other findings included scattered avascular villi, villous stromal vascular karyorrhexis, focally increased syncytial knots, and decidual arteriopathy. Gram stain, GMS and acid-fast stains yielded negative results, while immunohistochemical stain CD68 highlighted histiocytes in the granulomas. The final diagnosis of decidual granulomas including the aforementioned microscopic observations was made. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Though decidual granulomas are seen in association with infectious and rheumatologic disorders. They can also be observed in severe preeclampsia as in this setting; with unclear underlying pathogenesis, warranting a close follow-up of the newborn and the mother.

Clinico-haematological and Serum Biochemical Changes Associated with Foot and Mouth Disease in some Breeds of Cattle in Oyo State, Nigeria

Foot and mouth disease is considered one of the major hindrances to the growth of animal husbandry in Nigeria, with a projected annual loss of about 7 billion naira. We sought to establish the hematological and biochemical features in Nigerian indigenous cattle naturally infected with FMDV by comparing the hematological and biochemical features with breed, sex, and age. Forty cattle showing clinical manifestations and confirmed positive for FMD with the FMD rapid diagnostic kit were sampled for this study. Standard hematological and serum biochemical techniques were adopted for the analysis. Demography findings revealed more clinical FMD cases in the White Fulani breed (50%) compared to the least in Red Bororo (10%), females (60%) compared to males (40%), and adults (60%) compared to young (40%) cattle, respectively. There were generalized neutrophilia, lymphopenia, hypoproteinemia, increased ALT, and decreased AST enzymes when compared with reference ranges. All parameters analyzed regarding sex revealed no significance in their mean ± standard deviation, except neutrophils and absolute neutrophils, with p-values of 0.022 and 0.003, respectively. The results of all parameters regarding ages showed no statistical significance when comparisons of their mean ± SD were analyzed. We therefore conclude that there were more incidences of FMD in white Fulani, female, and adult cattle compared to other breeds, male and young animals, respectively, in Nigeria. The hematological and biochemical features appeared better in the Red Bororo breed, female and adult FMD-infected cattle compared to other breeds, male and young FMD-infected cattle respectively.

Application value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in predicting stress ulcer after acute cerebral hemorrhage surgery

ObjectiveThe Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) are established biomarkers that are associated with the severity, progression, and fatality of diseases. This study aimed to determine their predictive value for the occurrence of stress ulcers (SU) following surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage. MethodsRetrospective data from 210 patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage hospitalized between June 2020 and March 2023 were analyzed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the occurrence of SU post-surgery: the SU group (42 patients) and the non-SU group (168 patients). Clinical characteristics of both groups were compared, and a multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent risk factors for SU. The study evaluated the predictive value of NLR and PLR, individually and in combination, for predicting SU using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. ResultsWe observed significant differences between the SU and non-SU groups in several parameters, including GCS score, absolute neutrophils, NLR, PLR, postoperative tracheotomy, and intracranial infection (P < 0.05). Our multivariate logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for SU in patients undergoing surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage: GCS score, NLR, PLR, and fasting blood glucose (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ROC analysis demonstrated that the combination of NLR and PLR exhibited the highest AUC, sensitivity, and specificity in predicting SU following surgery for acute cerebral hemorrhage (P < 0.001), with values of 0.864 (95 % CI: 0.776–0.953), 0.778 (95 % CI: 0.658–0.899), and 0.941 (95 % CI: 0.889–0.993) respectively. ConclusionThis study highlighted the combined application of PLR and NLR as a significant predictor of SU in patients post-acute cerebral hemorrhage surgery.

A practical approach to febrile cancer patients: Diagnostic stewardship in Oncology units

Introduction Cancer and cytotoxic chemotherapy used for its treatment predispose to severe and often fatal infections. Prompt diagnosis and timely antibiotic therapy are crucial, with delays in therapy initiation having high mortality. Complete blood count (CBC) is an inexpensive, standardized, and preliminary investigation for the management and follow-up of cancer patients with diagnostic and prognostic value. Method We studied the types of infections associated with various cancers treated with chemotherapy, their etiologies and susceptibility patterns, and the hematological profile of these patients as predictors of infection. Results A total of 21 patients (12 solid and 9 hematological malignancies) presented with 31 febrile episodes. White Blood cell count (2079 cells/cu. mm), percentage of neutrophils (52.9%), absolute neutrophil (137.5 cells/cu. mm), and platelet count (1,77,507 cells/cu. mm) were significantly lower in the 11 patients with febrile neutropenia. The absolute lymphocyte count (412.7 cells/cu. mm) was reduced with a strikingly low Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (6.07) in patients with neutropenia. Laboratory and radiological evidence were present in 14/15 episodes of hematological malignancies (p-0.218) whereas unexplained clinical sepsis was common in solid malignancies (p-0.0202). The majority of documented infections were bacterial, caused by gram-negative bacilli, often showing multi-drug resistance. Infectious etiologies were identified in 71.4% of the patients with febrile neutropenia for &gt;5days. Bacterial infections developed within 2 days of neutropenia, whereas viral and fungal infections manifested in prolonged neutropenia. Multi-site infections and higher mortality rates were observed in patients with febrile neutropenia. (p&lt;0.04) Conclusion Febrile neutropenia is a common complication among patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early, rapid, and accurate diagnosis is key to prompt intervention. Hematological parameters such as Total Leukocyte count, platelet count, NLR, and Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are promising biomarkers in conjunction with morphological changes in neutrophils, thus proving that CBC and peripheral smears are simple, easily available, cost-effective, and highly dependable screening tools, especially in resource-poor settings.

The Importance of Preoperative NLR, PLR, and MPV Values in Predicting the Risk of Complications in Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRC PC) necessitates preoperative assessment of inflammatory markers to predict postoperative outcomes and guide treatment. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) in predicting complications for CRC PC patients undergoing surgery. Calculating NLR, PLR, and MPV from patient data: NLR = absolute neutrophil count/total lymphocyte count, PLR = total lymphocyte count/total platelet count × 100, and MPV = platelet crit (PCT)/total platelet count. The study included 196 CRC PC patients and found significant relationships between these markers and overall survival (OS). Patients with an NLR of 3.77 had a median OS of 22.1 months, compared to 58.3 months for those with lower NLR (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-5.3, p < 0.001). For CRC PC patients undergoing CRS+HIPEC, preoperative assessment of NLR, PLR, and MPV can serve as independent prognostic markers for OS. Incorporating these markers into preoperative evaluations may improve patient selection and outcome prediction.

Systemic Inflammatory Index in Polycythemia Vera and Its Prognostic Implications.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and prognostic associations of the systemic inflammatory index (SII) in polycythemia vera (PV) patients. SII integrates information on absolute neutrophil (ANC), lymphocyte (ALC), and platelet counts into one index (calculated as ANCxALC/platelet count) and was previously shown to predict thrombotic and mortality risks in the general population. Methods: A total of 279 PV patients treated in several hematologic centers in Croatia and Serbia was retrospectively evaluated. Results: The median SII for the overall cohort was 1960. Higher SII stratified at the specific cut-off points was significantly associated with shorter time to thrombosis (TTT; p = 0.004) driven by arterial thrombotic events, and shorter overall survival (OS; p < 0.001). Higher SII was able to refine the European Leukemia Net-defined high-risk patient subgroup for both thrombotic and survival risks, especially in individuals over 60 years of age. SII and all other evaluated CBC components and indices (leukocytes, ANC, ALC, platelets, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR)) demonstrated low-to-modest prognostic properties, whereas SII outperformed other parameters with respect to TTT and OS prognostications. Discussion: The presented results complement prior studies evaluating the prognostic performance of different CBC components for thrombotic and survival risk predictions and offer more options to personalize PV treatments.

Peripheral blood biomarkers in immune checkpoint inhibition therapy in metastatic melanoma.

e21543 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are extensively employed in the management of various solid cancers. Our study aims to assess the potential prognostic and predictive value of peripheral blood biomarkers, as well as their correlation with adverse events. Methods: In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data retrieved from a cohort of 23 patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma at a single institution between 2015 and 2019. Specifically, we focused on analyzing the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), absolute neutrophil+monocyte-to-absolute lymphocyte+eosinophil ratio (ANMC/ALEC) from complete blood count (CBC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level from peripheral blood to assess their correlation with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Results: Our findings revealed that NLR values less than 0.34 and ANMC/ALEC ratio less than 3.45 were associated with improved PFS and OS, as well as a lower incidence of immune-related adverse events, which supports our initial hypothesis. However, these results were not statistically significant due to the low power of our study. On the other hand, high NLR values were significantly associated with higher pre-treatment LDH levels (P-value = 0.037), which is a well-established adverse prognostic factor in melanoma. Additionally, high ANMC/ALEC ratios were also found to be associated with high LDH levels, although this relationship was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.133). Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that patients with lower pre-treatment NLR and ANMC/ALEC ratios have better PFS and OS, as well as lower incidence of irAEs. Conversely, those with high NLR and high ANMC/ALEC ratios exhibited lower PFS and OS, as well as higher incidence of irAEs. High NLR and ANMC/ALEC ratios were also found to be associated with higher pre-treatment LDH levels, which have previously been demonstrated to be an adverse prognostic factor in melanoma. [Table: see text]

Usefulness of extended inflammatory parameters related to neutrophil activation reported by Sysmex XN-1000 hematology analyzer for predicting complicated acute appendicitis. Comparison with canonical inflammatory laboratory tests

AimAccurate diagnosis of complicated appendicitis is of importance to ensure that patients receive early and effective treatment, minimizing the risk of postoperative complications to promote successful recovery. Biochemical markers are a promising tool to identify complicated appendicitis. We aimed to evaluate the potential role of novel parameters related with neutrophil activation, known as “Extended Inflammation Parameters” (EIP), included in blood cell count reported by Sysmex XN-Series analyzers, compared to other canonical biomarkers in identifying complicated appendicitis. MethodProspective observational study including patients with confirmed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, cell blood count, including white blood cell (WBC), absolute neutrophil (ANC) and immature granulocyte (IG) count and EIP (neutrophil reactivity [NEUT-RI] and granularity intensity [NEUT-GI]) were analyzed before surgery. Their accuracy to diagnose complicated appendicitis was tested in an ROC curve analysis. ResultsOur population study included 119 patients, and appendicitis was complicated in 58 (48.7%). NLR, CRP and procalcitonin levels, ANC and IG count and NEUT-RI and NEUT-GI were higher in patients with complicated appendicitis. Regarding accuracy for complicated appendicitis, CRP was the biomarker with the highest performance (ROC AUC: 0.829), with an optimal cutoff of 73.1 mg/L (sensitivity: 63.8%, specificity: 88.5%). NEUT-RI and NEUT-GI achieved both significant but poor accuracy, with ROC AUC of 0.606 and 0.637, respectively. ConclusionsNovel laboratory tests reported by Sysmex XN-Series analyzers have poor accuracy for identifying complicated appendicitis. In this study, CRP was the biomarker with the highest performance and may be useful as predictor of the severity of acute appendicitis.

Development of a novel granulocyte scoring system for use as a predictive/prognostic biomarker in patients with advanced melanoma undergoing treatment with combination immunotherapy.

9551 Background: Despite the implementation of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) for patients with metastatic melanoma, there remains an unmet clinical need for predictive/prognostic biomarkers to determine, from outset, which patients will derive benefit. Recent literature has suggested a significant role for granulocyte subsets in the development of resistance to systemic therapies, with an associated role in adaptive immunity. Methods: We sought to establish a novel immunological scoring system to use as a predictive/prognostic biomarker in patients with advanced melanoma being treated with ICI. In this retrospective, single centre study evaluating patients with advanced melanoma treated with combination ipilimumab and nivolumab, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between groups defined by neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte and basophil counts. Data from 226 patients was collected at baseline, week 3, week 6, first response scan and at progression. Baseline and week 3 data was the focus of this primary analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox regression analysis were performed. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated that absolute neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil count strongly associates with PFS and OS outcomes at week 3. Combination of these counts into a novel neutrophil to eosinophil + basophil ratio (NEBR, (N/(E+B)) was assessed as a scoring system. High NEBR was associated with poorer PFS and OS at baseline and week 3 with consistently superior predictive/prognostic value than the well-established neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). After accounting for covariates including concurrent steroids, infection and LDH, high NEBR remained significantly associated with worse PFS at baseline and poorer PFS and OS at week 3. Conclusions: Our findings highlight NEBR as a novel immunotherapeutic predictive/prognostic biomarker with potential clinical utility that warrants further investigation in patients with advanced melanoma and across other tumour groups. Further validation will be required through independent external datasets. [Table: see text]

Secretory Phospholipase A2 Levels Are High in Women with Sickle Cell Disease and Menstruation-Induced Vaso-Occlusive Crises

Menstruation-induced vaso-occlusive crisis (MIVOC) is a significant cause of morbidity in women with sickle cell disease (SCD). Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) is an inflammatory biomarker that is elevated in vaso-occlusive events such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), but its role in MIVOC is not previously studied. This study compared the serum level of sPLA2 among women with MIVOC and those without MIVOC. This is a comparative cross-sectional study. 354 women with SCD were screened for MIVOC using a structured questionnaire. sPLA2 levels were assayed using a standard ELISA while full blood counts were performed on an automated hematology analyzer. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software v26.0. Results were summarized as frequencies, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. Variables were compared using the Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation. A p-value of <.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of MIVOC was 26.8%. Participants with MIVOC (n = 95) had significantly lower mean hemoglobin concentration (8.00 ± 2.03g/dL vs. 9.95 ± 4.15g/dL, p < .000), significantly higher mean platelets count (518.71 ± 84.58 × 109/L vs 322.21 ± 63.80 × 109/L, p < .000) and higher sPLA2 level (6.58 ± 1.94 IU vs 6.03 ± 0.42 IU, p = .008) compared to those without MIVOC (n = 95). Among participants with MIVOC, sPLA2 levels positively correlated with total white blood cell, absolute neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts. This study demonstrates that MIVOC is common among women with SCD and that the pathophysiology of MIVOC may have an inflammatory basis similar to that of ACS. The potential role of anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet agents in preventing and treating MIVOC may be explored.

Iatrogenic myelodysplastic syndrome complicating multiple sclerosis: A case report.

After 1.5 years of treatment with dimethyl fumarate (DMF) for multiple sclerosis, preceded 8 years earlier by intravenous (IV) cladribine and 1 year earlier by natalizumab, our patient developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The initial manifestation was a severe drop in absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. Repeat bone marrow biopsy demonstrated a new unbalanced translocation (between the chromosome 1 long arm and chromosome 7 short arm). This case report, to our knowledge, is the first linking iatrogenic MDS to DMF and cladribine, while also suggesting caution with immunosuppressants in multiple sclerosis patients.

Corticosteroidal impacts on white blood cells differentials in ear-nose-throat admitted infected patients

Background/aim: It is well-established that the use of corticosteroidal agents in patients with Ear-Nose-Throat infections can lead to an increased risk of infection recurrence, while also potentially prolonging the duration of the infection. It is crucial to ensure a proper equilibrium between the advantages and drawbacks of the corticosteroidal agent. This study investigates the effects of corticosteroids on specific subsets of immune cells in patients admitted to the Ear-Nose-Throat department with infections. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively from March 2020 to September 2021. The variables that were measured and calculated were categorised into parametric and non-parametric data. The parametric data were compared between the two groups, Non-Dexamethasone Cohort (Cohort I) and Dexamethasone Cohort (Cohort II), using Independent, One-Sample T-Tests, and Chi-Square Test. Results: The average age of the entire study cohort was 59.40±10.60 years. There was a slightly higher proportion of males compared to females, with a ratio of approximately 2.309:1. The haematological analysis revealed a decrease in the levels of white blood cells, absolute neutrophils, monocytes, and the monocytes to lymphocytes ratio in Cohort I when compared to Cohort II. The levels of prognosticator biomarkers and their ratios were significantly lower in Cohort I when compared to Cohort II. Cohort II exhibited a significantly reduced hospital length of stay and a lower mortality rate among admitted infected patients in the ear-nose-throat infection, in comparison to Cohort I. Conclusion: Our analysis determined that Dexamethasone 6 mg/day provides a substantial survival advantage for patients with higher baseline risk upon admission. This benefit is associated with a decrease in the counts of neutrophils and monocytes, as well as a decrease in the ratio of these counts to lymphocyte count.

Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis in a Buffalo: A Case Report

The present communication reports a case of infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitis in a 5 year-old Murrah buffalo. The animal had a history of abortion, retention of foetal membranes and dark, raised nodular lesions on the surface of udder with mastitis. Physical examination revealed a rectal temperature of 104 ℃ and slightly congested mucous membranes. On examination of the vaginal mucous membranes, several white, round lesions were observed. Dark circular, raised lesions were observed on the surface of the udder as well. On haematological examination it was found that there was presence of absolute neutrophilia with a mild left shift. The impression smear from vaginal mucous membrane revealed hyperplastic changes with presence of few neutrophils. The CMT score of all quarters were 2+, with pustular discharge observed from the right hindquarter. The animal was treated with Ceftiofur (1.1 mg/kg BW), gentamicin (4.4 mg/kg BW) and metronidazole (10mg/kg BW) along with b-complex vitamins and supplements containing biotin and vitamin A. The animal recovered uneventfully.

Advanced lung cancer inflammation index predicts overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

Limited data are available regarding ALI's clinical relevance and prognostic value in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. HCC patients who received hepatectomy at the Meizhou People's Hospital from May 2011 to February 2022 were enrolled in the study cohort. The ALI was calculated as follows: ALI = BMI (kg/m2) × ALB (g/dL)/(absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcome was cancer-specific survival (CSS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed, followed by nomogram construction and decision curve analysis (DCA). 425 HCC patients were enrolled for analyses. Lower preoperative ALI was significantly correlated with incomplete tumor capsule and advanced tumor stage. Lower preoperative ALI was an adverse independent prognostic factor for OS (HR: 1.512, 95% CI: 1.122-2.039, P 0.007) and CSS (HR: 1.754, 95% CI: 1.262-2.438, P <0.001) in HCC patients. The nomogram plot was built based on three (including age, TNM stage, and ALI) and two (including TNM stage and ALI) independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS, respectively. Further analyses indicated that the nomogram had better predictive value and some net benefit than the traditional TNM stage alone, especially in long-term OS. Our study further indicated that ALI could be a prognostic marker for OS and CSS in HCC patients after hepatectomy, especially in long-term OS.