Different Degrees Of Anemia Research Articles

Impact of Short Birth Spacing on Maternal Anemia at District Head Quarters Hospital Nankana Sahib

Short birth intervals are independently associated with increased risk of adverse maternal, perinatal, infant and child outcomes. Maternal anemia is one of the commonest complications of short birth spacing that further can enhance the risk of poor fetal and maternal outcome. Objective: To determine the effect of short birth spacing on maternal anemia at District Headquarters Hospital Nankana Sahib. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was done at Gynecology and obstetrics Department of District Headquarters Hospital Nankana sahib. A total of 135 pregnant women of 18 to 40 years’ age, 18 to 59 months of inter-pregnancy intervals were included. All the demographic and clinical data was collected according to predesigned questionnaire. Results: In this study all females were anemic, whereas there were 57(42.22%) females had mild anemia, 61(45.19%) females had moderate and 17(12.59%) females had severe anemia. There was association between severity of Hb levels with higher age group, lower socioeconomic status, previous history of vaginal + C-section and females with third trimester. Moreover, there was significantly negative correlation between Hb levels and higher gravida, p-value ≤ 0.05. Conclusions: Itis concluded from the results of our study that all mothers had different degrees of anemia. There was a statistically significant association between severity of Hb levels with higher age group, lower socioeconomic status, previous history of vaginal + C-section and females with third trimester (p < 0.05). While, no significant association and a negative correlation was found between Hb levels and multigravida (r = - 0.181 & p = 0.035).

Anaemia and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry

Abstract Background Anaemia is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) and a common comorbidity. Real world data on the impact of anaemia on clinical outcomes, and on the benefits and risks of oral anticoagulation (OAC) are limited. Purpose To investigate the association of different degrees of anaemia with adverse outcomes in a cohort of European patients with AF. Methods We analyzed patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry with baseline hemoglobin (Hb) values. Patients were stratified according to World Health Organization (WHO) definition of anaemia: (i) No anaemia (Hb≥12.0g/dl for women and Hb≥13.0g/dl for men), Mild anaemia (Hb 11.0–11.9g/dl for women and Hb 11.0–12.9g/dl for men), and moderate-severe anaemia (Hb ≤10.9 g/dl for both sexes). Primary outcomes were all-cause death, major adverse cardiac events (MACE, as the composite of any thromboembolism (TE)/acute coronary syndrome/cardiovascular death) and major bleeding. Results From the original 11,096 AF patients enrolled in the Registry, 7767 (69.9%) were included in the present analysis (median age 70 years, interquartile range [IQR] 62–77, males 58.3%, CHA2DS2VASc score median 3 [2–4], HAS-BLED median 2 [1–2]). A total of 5973 (76.9%) patients did not have anaemia, 1156 (14.9%) had mild anaemia, and 638 (8.2%) had moderate/severe anaemia. Patients with anaemia were more likely to have more comorbidities, frailty, permanent AF and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs). Overall, 318 (18.4%) patients with anaemia and an indication for anticoagulation [i.e. CHA2DS2-VASc≥1 (males), or ≥2 (females)] did not receive any OAC. After a median (IQR) follow-up of 730 (692–749) days, all-cause death was 10.5% and there were 841 (11.6%) MACE and 186 (2.5%) major bleeds. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative risk for patients with moderate-severe anaemia for all the outcomes considered (Figure) (Log Rank tests, all p<0.001). Adjusted Cox regression analyses revealed that patients with mild and moderate-severe anaemia had a higher risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–2.40 and aHR 2.39, 95% CI 1.97–2.91, respectively), MACE (aHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.17–1.76 and aHR 1.64, 95% CI 1.30–2.07 respectively), and major bleeding (aHR 1.52, 05% CI 1.02–2.25 and aHR 3.73, 95% CI 2.59–5.37, respectively). Among patients with moderate-severe anaemia, use of OAC was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.89) and MACE (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.84), without a significant increased risk of major bleeding (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.43–1.52). Conclusions In a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients, almost 25% have concomitant anaemia which is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality, MACE and major bleeding. Use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in patients with moderate-severe anaemia, without significant increased risk of major bleeding. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Since the start of EORP, the following companies have supported the programme: Abbott Vascular Int. (2011–2021), Amgen Cardiovascular (2009–2018), AstraZeneca (2014–2021), Bayer (2009–2018), Boehringer Ingelheim (2009–2019), Boston Scientific (2009–2012), The Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance (2011–2016), The Alliance Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH and Eli Lilly and Company (2011–2017), Edwards (2016–2019), Gedeon Richter Plc. (2014–2017), Menarini Int. Op. (2009–2012), MSD-Merck & Co. (2011–2014), Novartis Pharma AG (2014–2020), ResMed (2014–2016), Sanofi (2009–2011), SERVIER (2010–2021), and Vifor (2019–2022)

Relevance of pre-existing anaemia for patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome to an intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort analysis of 7418 patients.

AimsPatients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) frequently suffer from anaemia, but its role in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. This analysis evaluates the prognostic relevance of different degrees of anaemia and their specific impact on disease severity and the outcome in critically ill ACS patients.Methods and resultsand results The multi-centre electronic Intensive Care Unit Collaborative Research Database was used, and all patients admitted with ACS were included in a retrospective analysis. Anaemia and its degrees were defined according to the criteria by the World Health Organization. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to fit three sequential regression models for the binary primary outcome of hospital mortality. A total of 7418 patients were included; 3437 patients (46%) had anaemia on admission. Patients with anaemia were significantly older [61 (53–70) vs. 70 (61–78) years, P < 0.001], more often female (P < 0.001), and required an increased rate of vasopressor use (P < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001). With the higher Sequential organ failure assessment score (1 vs. 2; P < 0.001) and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (35 vs. 47; P < 0.001) scores, a higher degree of anaemia was associated with prolonged ICU stay (2 vs. 5 days, P < 0.001). Even patients with mild anaemia needed significantly from more intensive treatment and suffered worse outcome. Intensive care unit and hospital mortality were inversely associated with haemoglobin levels.ConclusionNearly half of critically ill patients with ACS suffer from anaemia, which is associated with increased illness severity, complex ICU procedures, and mortality—even in mild anaemia. Haemoglobin on admission is an independent factor for adverse outcome.

Quality of life and clinical assessment of joint health in children with hemophilic arthropathy

BackgroundHemophilic arthropathy results in pain, deformity, and disability with severe impairments, activity limitation, and thus productivity loss. Also patterns of treatment interfere with patients’ life, so the quality of life should be assessed when evaluating treatment. The aim of this work was to assess the quality of life of children with hemophilic arthropathy and its relation to clinical joint health.ResultsThe study was carried out on fifty boys with hemophilic arthropathy. All patients were subjected to thorough local clinical assessment of the most affected and/or target joint using Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS 2.1) and assessment of quality of life using Haemo quality of life (Haemo-Qol) questionnaire children and parent versions. Among the fifty hemophilic patients, 36 (72%) patients were hemophilia A and 14 (28 %) patients were hemophilia B. The age at first hemarthrosis ranged from 1 to 8 years with a mean of 2.40±1.78. While the number of joints affected in the studied patients ranged from 2 to 13 joints with a mean of 7±3.25. As regards the severity, 23 patients (46%) had severe, and 27 (54%) had moderate hemophilia. Forty four (88%) patients had different degrees of anemia. There was significant correlation between child Haemo-QoL with degree of anemia (r = 0.291, P = 0.040), mainly with view and school dimensions. There were significant correlations between child and parent Haemo-QoL and HJHS with each of the following: factor activity level, duration of the disease, duration of joint disease, number of bleeding attacks last year, and number of joints affected. Synovectomy was done for 5 (10%) patients. The total child Haemo-QoL score was statistically significantly lower after the intervention (P=0.043), with a significant improvement in physical health, feeling, view, family, school and sports, treatment, and dealing dimensions. In the current study, there were significant positive correlations between child and parent Haemo-QoL and HJHS scores.ConclusionsThe quality of life in patients with hemophilic arthropathy was influenced by the joint health, factor activity level, disease duration, number of bleeding attacks, number of joints affected (during life), duration of joint disease, and presence of hepatitis C virus.

Influence of Anemia on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Patients Undergo Hysteromyoma Surgery.

Cognitive dysfunction is a common disease in aging population. This study aims to compare the influence of different degrees of anemia on the cognitive function of patients undergo hysteromyoma surgery. Sixty-one patients aged 18–60 years who underwent uterine fibroid surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from March 2019 to December 2020 were selected for this study. Patients were divided into three groups: group normal (Group N, patients have no anemia), group of mild anemia (Group Mi, patients have mild anemia) and group of moderate anemia (Group Mo, patients had moderate anemia). Combined spinal and epidural anesthesia were administered. Cognitive function tests were performed 1 day before the surgery and repeated at the 5th and 30th days after surgery. Peripheral venous blood samples from patients were collected before the surgery, right after surgery and at the 24th and 72nd hours after surgery. The contents of S-100β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in serum samples were determined by ELISA. It was found that there were no significant differences in general characteristics of patients among Group N, Group Mi and Group Mo (p > 0.05). Nine patients developed postoperative cognitive dysfunction after surgery, and the incidence was 14.75% (9/61). The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was 40% in Group Mo, which was higher than that in Group N and Group Mi. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Inflammatory factors in patients with POCD were higher in post-surgery than before-surgery (p < 0.05), while there was no statistical significance in the difference of inflammatory factors of patients without POCD before and after surgery (p > 0.05). Taken together, this study suggested that moderate anemia could be a risk factor of POCD in patients undergoing hysteromyoma surgeries. This study will help surgeons developing measures for preventing the occurrence of POCD.

MO893ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN THE NEPHROLOGY AND HEMODIALYSIS DEPARTEMENT CHU IBN ROCHD

Abstract Background and Aims Physical activity is often reduced in chronic hemodialysis patients. Studies having evaluated hemodialysis reveal a significant sedentary lifestyle. which is associated with excess mortality. Conversely, the benefits in terms of morbidity and mortality from physical activity are numerous. The fight against sedentary lifestyles in hemodialysis patients must be one of the objectives of healthcare teams. For this reason, our study aims to assess physical inactivity using a physical activity score from DIJON in chronic hemodialysis patients and to identify the factors linked to a decrease in physical activity in them and to propose programs aimed at to encourage PA as well as exercises adapted to the hemodialysis patient. Method This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted during the month of January 2020, in the nephrology and hemodialysis department of CHU IBN ROCHD. We used the Dijon questionnaire translated into Arabic to measure the PA taking into account daily, sports or leisure activities. The PA level benchmarks are 0–10 (low), 10–20 (medium), and 20–30 (high). Results Our study included 71 patients. The average age was 46.5 years with extremes ranging from 16 to 93 years, there is a slight male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.1. Initial nephropathy was undetermined nephropathy in 53.5%, glomerular in 29.5%, diabetic in 7% and hypertensive in 1.4%. The age of the periodic hemodialysis treatment in our patients varied from 1 month to 44 years, with an average duration of 17.3 years. 91.5% of patients had an arteriovenous fistula as a vascular approach, 8.4% of patients were dialyzed on a catheter. The overall level of physical activity was high only in 4.5% of patients, while it was low in 61.3% and moderate in 34% of patients. The study of the relationship between the decrease in physical activity and different demographic, clinical and paraclinical parameters had revealed that the decrease in physical activity was significantly correlated with seniority on hemodialysis, gender, l he advanced age, the different degrees of anemia, and the cardiovascular affections, on the other hand no significant correlation was found between the decrease in physical activity and hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism. Conclusion Our results show that the level of physical activity is linked to many parameters, some of which can be modified. Prescribing an adapted and personalized program would improve the prognosis related to co-morbidities and the quality of life of our patients.

Clinical, Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Canine Babesiosis and its Compatible Tick Vector in Naturally Infected Dogs, in Egypt

The low scientific attention in dealing with dog diseases is still present comparing to other animal species in Egypt in spite of its wide spreading as pets, hunting dogs or for other purposes. Canine babesiosis is a haemoprotozoal parasitic disease inducing significant clinical manifestations on the infected dogs. The present study aimed to accurately identify the causative species of canine babesiosis in naturally infected dogs in Egypt and its compatible tick vector. For this purpose 75 dogs including 19 dogs at Sharkia and 56 dogs at Dakahlia Governorates, Egypt were clinically examined and 20 (26.67%) dogs showed signs of fever, weakness, anorexia, pale mucous membrane and different degrees of anemia. During examination, there were 8 dogs had variant degrees of tick infestation. Further parasitological identification of 50 collected ticks showed that all the collected ticks were belong to Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus) species. Whole blood samples collected from all examined dogs were screened by thin blood film for presence of Babesia species piroplasm. Nine samples (12.0%) showed pyriform shaped protozoa inside red blood cells (RBCs). All blood samples and 5 pooled tick samples (10 ticks/each) were screened against 18s rRNA of Babesia species genome using semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Babesia canis vogeli (B. canis vogeli) was the only detected species in fourteen blood samples (18.67%) and all collected tick samples. It is the first study in Egypt to use semi-nested PCR for detection of 18s rRNA of canine babesiosis in ticks collected from naturally diseased dogs.

Intermittent iron supplementation for reducing anaemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women.

Intermittent iron supplementation for reducing anaemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women.

Optimal threshold for the diagnosis of anemia severity on unenhanced thoracic CT: A preliminary study

ObjectiveTo investigate and evaluate the value as accuracy of diagnosis different degrees of anemia through the unenhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan. Materials and methodsThe CT attenuation of right ventricle (RV) cavity, left ventricular (LV) cavity, interventricular septum and difference between the interventricular septum and left ventricle cavity (IVS-LV) were retrospectively analyzed and measured in 317 patients with different degrees of anemia and the normal patients. The hemoglobin (Hb) level was estimated within 24 h. Statistical analysis was made to obtain the best diagnostic threshold of anemia levels by CT scan, measurement repeatability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values. ResultsAn obvious parallel correlation of hemoglobin concentration and CT attenuation of IVS-LV existed (the determination coefficient was 0.818; P < .001). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the conclusion was that when the threshold of CT attenuation of IVS-LV at (5.5–9.5) HU in male and (4.5–8.5) HU in female, the specificity for diagnosing mild anemia was low, while the sensitivity was very high (87.1%, 100%, respectively), if the CT value was among (9.5–13.5) HU in male or (8.5–13.5) HU in female, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing moderate anemia were fine (92.9% and 74.8% in male; 93.9% and 60.0% in female), and once the CT value was more than 13.5 HU the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing severe anemia in all gender were greatly good (94.7% and 83.6% in male; 82.4% and 84.6% in female). The intra-and inter-observer reliability and reproducibility were good (ICC were all more than 0.99). ConclusionThe CT attenuation of IVS-LV could predict the severity of anemia with good sensitivity and specificity, which could add value to clinical practice and more importantly facilitating patient care as hematologic laboratory investigations are lacking.

Clinical diagnosis of adult patients with acute megakaryocytic leukemia.

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is challenging to diagnose due to frequent myelofibrosis (MF) and a low percentage of blast cells. In the present study, clinical characteristics and experimental observations in 9 adult patients diagnosed with AMKL, who were recruited by the Sino-U.S. Shanghai Leukemia Co-operative Group, were analyzed in order to summarize the diagnostic experience and provide recommendations on diagnosing AMKL. All the patients were diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization diagnostic criteria. The mean age of the patients with AMKL was 59 years (range, 53–68 years). A total of 8 patients had different degrees of anemia, and 2 patients had <5% marrow blasts present in the bone marrow; however, the percentage of positive cells with cluster of differentiation (CD)41 and CD61 expression was >20%, as demonstrated by flow cytometry. A total of 6 patients were positive for platelet-specific antigens, as indicated by immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, 7 patients presented with moderate or marked MF, as demonstrated by a bone marrow biopsy. Karyotypic analysis indicated that 6 patients had abnormal karyotypes. Only 1 patient exhibited the Janus kinase 2V617F mutation. Treatment efficiency was notably poor, with a median survival time of 6.0 months (range, 1.1–24.0 months). In conclusion, the diagnosis of AMKL requires a combination of the results of bone marrow smears and bone marrow biopsy, immunophenotype or immunohistochemistry. We recommend that routine immunophenotypic analysis should include the CD41 and CD61 markers for diagnosing acute leukemia when bone marrow morphology does not indicate the diagnosis.

Relationship of dynamic lung function parameters in pregnant women with different degrees of anemia: A cross-sectional study in Odisha

Background: Anemia has potential adverse effects on mother and fetus. Moderate-to-severe anemia in pregnancy reduces diaphragmatic strength and leads to exertional dyspnea. Aims and Objective: In the present study, we tried to establish a relationship between dynamic lung functions and different degrees of anemia in pregnant women of Odisha. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the year 2015–2016, consisting of 90 anemic pregnant females (30 in each trimester) within the age group of 20–35 years. 110 age-matched healthy pregnant women (35 in first and second and 40 in third trimester) were taken as controls. The dynamic lung function assessment was done in the subjects by Medspiror with Helios 401 software, and hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, forced expiratory flow (FEF25–75%), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were the parameters studied. The statistical tests employed were the student’s t-test, analysis of variance, Bonferroni, Univariate linear regression, and multiple linear regression. Results: With increasing severity of anemia, a progressive decline in dynamic lung functions was seen in anemic pregnant women. FVC, FEV1, FEF25–75%, PEFR, and MVV values showed a significant decline (P < 0.001), while FEV1/FVC value was increased from control to severe anemic pregnant subjects (P < 0.001). With post hoc Bonferroni, all the parameters were not significant when compared within control and mild anemic pregnant. FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and MVV values were significantly reduced in moderate-to-severe anemia compared to control (P < 0.001) and in severe anemia compared to mild and moderate group (P < 0.001). FEV1/FVC was significantly increased in moderate-to-severe anemia compared to control (P < 0.001) and in severe anemia compared to mild group (P < 0.01). FEF 25–75% value was only reduced in severe anemic versus control. When linear regression analysis and multiple linear regression for dynamic lung function parameters were applied, by considering Hb% as an independent variable and adjusting the effect of age, body mass index, and trimester, there was a significant positive association in all the parameters (P < 0.001), except FEV1/FVC with significant negative association with one unit change in Hb% (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Moderate-to-severe anemia adversely affects pulmonary functions in pregnant women. Proper interventional strategies and anesthesia should be carried out to prevent adverse outcomes in anemic pregnant women.

Development and validation of a noncontact spectroscopic device for hemoglobin estimation at point-of-care.

Anemia severely and adversely affects human health and socioeconomic development. Measuring hemoglobin with the minimal involvement of human and financial resources has always been challenging. We describe a translational spectroscopic technique for noncontact hemoglobin measurement at low-resource point-of-care settings in human subjects, independent of their skin color, age, and sex, by measuring the optical spectrum of the blood flowing in the vascular bed of the bulbar conjunctiva. We developed software on the LabVIEW platform for automatic data acquisition and interpretation by nonexperts. The device is calibrated by comparing the differential absorbance of light of wavelength 576 and 600 nm with the clinical hemoglobin level of the subject. Our proposed method is consistent with the results obtained using the current gold standard, the automated hematology analyzer. The proposed noncontact optical device for hemoglobin estimation is highly efficient, inexpensive, feasible, and extremely useful in low-resource point-of-care settings. The device output correlates with the different degrees of anemia with absolute and trending accuracy similar to those of widely used invasive methods. Moreover, the device can instantaneously transmit the generated report to a medical expert through e-mail, text messaging, or mobile apps.

Quality of Life and Clinical Assessment of Joint Health in Children with Hemophilic Arthropathy

Hemophilic arthropathy results in pain, deformity, and disability with severe impairments, activity limitation, and thus productivity loss. Also patterns of treatment interfere with patients' life, so quality of life should be assessed when evaluating treatment.The aim of this work was to assess the quality of life of children with hemophilic arthropathy and its relation to clinical joint health if any.The study was carried out on fifty boys aged 4 to 16 years, with hemophilic arthropathy.All patients were subjected to thorough local clinical assessment of the most affected and/or target joint using Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS 2.1), assessment of quality of life using Haemo-Qol questionnaire kids' and parents' versions for three age groups: Group I: 4-7 years (21 items covering 8 dimensions), Group II: 8-12 years (64 items covering 10 dimensions), Group III: 13-16 years (77 items covering 12 dimensions) and complete blood count measurement.Among the fifty hemophilic patients, 36 (72%) patients were hemophilia A and 14 (28 %) patients were hemophilia B.All patients were receiving on demand replacement therapy using plasma derived Factor concentrate or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) according to availability.The age at first joint bleeding ranged from 1-8 years with a mean of 2.40±1.78. While the number of joints affected in the studied patients ranged from 2-13 joints with a mean of 7±3.25, and the most common target joint being the knee (72%), followed by the ankle (10%) and then the elbow (4%).Twenty three patients (46%) had severe, and 27 (54 %) had moderate hemophilia.The results of the present study showed that there was significant difference between moderate and severe hemophilic patients as regards age of onset of joint bleeding (z = -2.747, p = 0.006) and number of joints affected (t = -3.855, p < 0.001).There was statistical significant difference between the three studied age groups as regards HJHS (F= 9.843, P< 0.001), and Global gait score (F= 8.939, P<0.001). However there was no significant difference between the studied age groups as regards Kid and Parent Haemo-QOL scores (P=0.234 and 0.273 respectively).Forty four (88%) patients had different degrees of anemia. There was significant correlation between kid Haemo-QOL with degree of anemia (r = 0.291, p = 0.040), mainly with view and school dimensions.There were significant correlations between kid and parent Haemo-QOL and HJHS with each of the following: factor activity level, duration of the disease, duration of joint disease, number of bleeding attacks last year and number of joints affected.Five (10%) of the studied patients did synovectomy. The Haemo-QOL score was statistically significantly lower after the intervention (p=0.043) mainly with physical health, feeling, view, family, school and sports, treatment and dealing dimensions.In the current study there were significant positive correlations between kid and parent Haemo-QOL with global gait (r = 0.671, p <0.001 for kid and r = 0.656 p <0.001 for parents) and HJHS scores (r = 0.620, p <0.001 for kid and r = 0.630, p <0.001 for parents).Several factors affect the quality of life in patients with hemophilic arthropathy including synovectomy, anemia ,mode of treatment and joint health. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresHassab:Eli Lilly and Company: Research Funding.

Hepcidin-Dependent Regulation of Erythropoiesis during Anemia in a Teleost Fish, Dicentrarchus labrax.

Anemia is a common disorder, characterized by abnormally low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin. The mechanisms of anemia development and response have been thoroughly studied in mammals, but little is known in other vertebrates, particularly teleost fish. In this study, different degrees of anemia were induced in healthy European sea bass specimens (Dicentrarchus labrax) and at pre-determined time points hematological parameters, liver iron content and the expression of genes involved in iron homeostasis and hematopoiesis, with particular attention on hepcidins, were evaluated. The experimental anemia prompted a decrease in hamp1 expression in all tested organs, in accordance to an increased need for iron absorption and mobilization, with slight increases in hamp2 in the kidney and intestine. The liver was clearly the major organ involved in iron homeostasis, decreasing its iron content and showing a gene expression profile consistent with an increased iron release and mobilization. Although both the spleen and head kidney are involved in erythropoiesis, the spleen was found to assume a more preponderant role in the recovery of erythrocyte levels. The intestine was also involved in the response to anemia, through the increase of iron transporting genes. Administration of Hamp1 or Hamp2 mature peptides showed that only Hamp1 affects hematological parameters and liver iron content. In conclusion, the molecular mechanisms of response to anemia present in sea bass are similar to the ones described for mammals, with these results indicating that the two hepcidin types from teleosts assume different roles during anemia.

Treatment of Canine Lymphoma as a Model for Humans

The reliability of complete blood counts (CBC) obtained by LaserCyte® were evaluated in 41 dogs affected by malignant lymphoma (29 cases), leukemia (8 cases) and miscellaneous blood disorders (4 cases). A total of 89 CBCs were performed. Different degrees of anemia, leukocytosis, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis were detected. Results provided from LaserCyte® were compared with those from HeCo VET C ® impedance cell counter, manual leukocyte differential counts and reticulocyte counts by the regression coefficient (r). The LaserCyte® cell counter provides reliable results for diagnosing and monitoring onco-hematological disorders, in part due to the provision of alarm codes that indicate when a review of the stained blood smear is necessary. The only unreliable CBC parameter was eosinophil count.

Accuracy of the FAMACHA© method in ewes fed different levels of crude protein

The accuracy of the FAMACHA© method was evaluated on the identification of female sheep fed two levels of crude protein, naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus, by means of the correspondent hematocrit value. Forty-seven female sheep of the breeds Santa Inês (n = 16), Texel (n = 16) and Ile de France (n = 15) aged between eight and twelve months were assigned to two treatments, 12 or 16 % crude protein in the diet. All the animals were wormed thirty days before the first data collections, which were done fortnightly between July 2005 and March 2006. The color of the ocular conjunctiva was individually evaluated according to the precepts of the FAMACHA© method and the hematocrit value of each animal was obtained in laboratory. A correlation of 1:0.7991 was found between the hematocrit values and the classification given by the FAMACHA© method aiming to identify animals with different degrees of anemia. The method was efficient to identify animals to worm, thus representing a support in the identification of animals susceptible to Haemonchus contortus.

Mouse Models of Anemia of Cancer

Anemia of cancer (AC) may contribute to cancer-related fatigue and impair quality of life. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of AC could facilitate better treatment, but animal models to study AC are lacking. We characterized four syngeneic C57BL/6 mouse cancers that cause AC. Mice with two different rapidly-growing metastatic lung cancers developed the characteristic findings of anemia of inflammation (AI), with dramatically different degrees of anemia. Mice with rapidly-growing metastatic melanoma also developed a severe anemia by 14 days, with hematologic and inflammatory parameters similar to AI. Mice with a slow-growing peritoneal ovarian cancer developed an iron-deficiency anemia, likely secondary to chronically impaired nutrition and bleeding into the peritoneal cavity. Of the four models, hepcidin mRNA levels were increased only in the milder lung cancer model. Unlike in our model of systemic inflammation induced by heat-killed Brucella abortus, ablation of hepcidin in the ovarian cancer and the milder lung cancer mouse models did not affect the severity of anemia. Hepcidin-independent mechanisms play an important role in these murine models of AC.

Retrospective Study of Hemoparasites in Cattle in Southern Italy by Reverse Line Blot Hybridization

ABSTRACTTick-borne diseases are widespread in tropical and temperate regions and are responsible for important economic losses in those areas. In order to assess the presence and prevalence of various pathogens in southern Italy, we retrospectively analyzed cattle blood samples collected for a previous study in 2000 using reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization. The study had been carried out in three regions of southern Italy on 1,500 randomly selected and apparently healthy adult cattle. RLB showed that 43.7% of the cattle were positive for nine different species of hemoparasites with either a single infection or a mixed infection. Theileria buffeli was the most common species found, being present in 27.3% of the animals, followed by Anaplasma marginale in 18.1%, Anaplasma centrale in 13.8%, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma bovis in 4.2%, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 1.7%, Babesia bovis in 1.6%, Babesia major in 0.2% and Babesia divergens in 0.1%. Complete blood counts showed different degrees of anemia in 363 animals (24.2%) and of these, 169 were RLB-positive for at least one pathogen. Among the ticks that were collected from the cattle, the following species were identified: Rhipicephalus bursa, Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma marginatum, Boophilus annulatus, Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis (sulcata, parva, inermis and punctata). The results obtained confirmed the spread of endemic tick-borne pathogens in the regions studied.

Hepcidin demonstrates a biphasic association with anemia in acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Hepcidin levels are high and iron absorption is limited in acute malaria. The mechanism(s) that regulate hepcidin secretion remain undefined. We have measured hepcidin concentration and cytokines in 100 Kenyan children with acute falciparum malaria and different degrees of anemia. Hepcidin was increased on admission and fell significantly one week and one month after treatment. The association of hepcidin with hemoglobin was not linear and hepcidin was very low in severe malarial anemia. Parasite density, IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly associated with hepcidin concentration. Hepcidin response to acute malaria supports the notion of iron sequestration during acute malaria infection and suggests that iron administration during acute malaria is futile. These data suggest iron supplementation policies should take into account the high hepcidin levels and probable poor utilization of iron for up to one week after treatment for the majority of patients with acute malaria.

Acute physiological effects of packed red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants with different degrees of anaemia

Acute physiological effects of packed red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants with different degrees of anaemia