High Erythrocyte Research Articles

Consequences of Schistosoma Haematobium Infection on the Iron Status of Schoolchildren in Niger

The relationship between iron status and degree of infection by Schistosoma haematobium was studied in 174 schoolchildren from Niger in an area endemic for urinary schistosomiasis. Iron deficiency was defined by a combination of three reliable indicators: a low serum ferritin level combined with a low transferrin saturation, a high erythrocyte protoporphyrin level, or both. Hematuria and proteinuria were found in 76.4% and 79.9% of the children, respectively, while 95.4% excreted eggs (geometric mean egg count of 31.5 eggs per 10 ml of urine). Anemia was observed in 59.7% of the subjects. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 47.1%. Anemia was associated with iron deficiency in 57.7% of the cases. The hemoglobin level and transferrin saturation decreased significantly when the degree of hematuria increased, while prevalence of anemia and prevalence of iron deficiency increased significantly. The hemoglobin level and the hematocrit were negatively correlated with egg count, while prevalence of anemia increased with increasing egg count. This inverse relationship between degree of infection by S. haematobium and iron status shows a deleterious consequence of urinary schistosomiasis on nutrition and hematopoietic status, which should be considered in the design of nutrition intervention programs.

The effects of hypocalcaemia due to a 4-hour infusion of Na 2EDTA solution on various blood and urine analytes in dairy cows and a comparison of these effects between cows with high and low erythrocyte potassium concentrations

Six HK (high erythrocyte potassium) and 7 LK (low erythrocyte potassium) dairy cows were subjected to a 4-h intravenous infusion of 4.7% Na 2EDTA solution to induce and maintain hypocalcaemia. Blood samples taken immediately before infusion, hourly for 7 h, and at 24 h after commencement of infusion were subjected to determination of concentration (or count) of 16 analytes. The mean changes in concentrations (or counts) of the various blood analytes were calculated for the periods 0–4, 4–7, 7–24, and 0–24 h after commencement of the infusion for all cows combined, and then separately for the HK and LK groups of cows. Plasma Ca(PCa), plasma inorganic phosphorus (PiP) and plasma potassium (PK) showed significant decreases during the 4-h infusion period and were still below pretreatment levels 24 h later. AST, CPK, PCVs and white cell counts (WCCs) showed significant early increases which were still significantly elevated 24 h later. Plasma magnesium (PMg) and erythrocyte Na(ENa) and K(EK) all showed delayed changes which still persisted 24 h later. Significant between-group differences were present for PCVs which increased significantly more in the LK than the HK group during the infusion period, for PCa which showed a greater increase in the HK cows than the LK cows during the 4–7 h early clinical recovery period, and for plasma bilirubin (PBil) which showed a greater increase from 0 to 24 h in the HK group than in the LK group. Urine samples, collected before infusion, 4–7 h and 24 h after commencement of the infusion, were subjected to analysis for glucose, protein, pH, ‘blood’ and ketones. Most cows showed increases in urinary glucose, protein and ‘blood’.

Iron nutritional status of preschool children.

Low hemoglobin and low MCHC levels were indicative of high incidence of iron deficiency in preschool children. The extent of iron deficiency as assessed by serum ferritin and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin showed a different trend. While FEP levels were highly suggestive of extensive iron deficiency (in 40-45% of children below the age of 5 years), low serum ferritin was seen in only 16-20% of children. The discrepant finding of high serum ferritin, and high erythrocyte protoporphyrin despite low MCHC in the present study, possibly reflects iron deficiency status along with chronic infection resulting in hyperferritinemia and hyperprotoporphyrinemia. It may be also due to associated folate deficiency resulting in non utilization of iron leading to the elevated levels of protoporphyrin.

Evolution of blood magnesium, sodium and potassium in depressed patients followed for three months.

No consensus has been obtained about blood electrolyte status, especially about magnesium, in affective disorders. This is mainly due to the lack of information about the distribution of the patients in clinical subgroups, sex, type of treatment and about the severity of their illnesses. Most of these studies concerned treated patients. We confirmed in this study that drug-free depressed patients have higher erythrocyte and plasma magnesium than controls, as shown in previous reports. Significant differences are observed in as shown in previous reports. Significant differences are observed in patients for sex and between clinical subgroups. Low plasma potassium levels are described in both male and female depressed patients. The erythrocyte magnesium level tends to normalize in parallel with clinical improvement, depending on sex and clinical subgroup, and seems then to be related to the intensity of the depression. Plasma magnesium in male and female patients, except for female unipolars, remains higher than controls in all conditions and might be related to the diagnosis of affective disorders.

Abnormalities of hematologic parameters in heavy drinkers and alcoholics.

Hematologic parameters measured by a Technicon H-1 analyzer and reticulocyte values were studied in three middle-aged male groups; 184 social drinkers, 88 heavy drinkers, and 106 alcoholics. Erythrocyte mean cell volume (MCV) correlated positively (p less than 0.001) with red cell distribution width (r = 0.388) and negatively with red blood cells (r = -0.594, p less than 0.001), hemoglobin distribution width (r = -0.330, p less than 0.001), cell by cell counted hemoglobin concentration (CHCM) (r = -0.434, p less than 0.001), and the ratio between standard deviation of CHCM and CHCM (r = -0.375, p less than 0.001). In spite of these correlations high red cell distribution width values were also found in alcoholic patients with normocytosis (MCV less than or equal to 96 fl). Alcohol induced abnormalities primarily in erythrocytes. The only significant abnormality in the heavy drinker group was a high value of erythrocyte MCV, which was found in 22.7%. In the alcoholic group the MCV value was high in 39.6%, and low erythrocyte values were detected in 16%. A high erythrocyte mean cell distribution width value indicating anisocytosis was found in 40.6% of the alcoholic group. In this material the specificities of these values were also good. The scatter cytogram for red blood cells did not give any valuable visual information in the abuser groups. Thus, certain abnormalities in the Technicon H-1 system parameters, even other than MCV, can be explained by alcohol abuse.

Susceptibility to onion-induced hemolysis in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations

Summary The hemolytic effect of onion consumption in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations (designated HK dogs) was compared with that in clinically normal dogs. Twelve hours after oral administration of boiled onions (200 g/dog), hemoglobin concentration decreased to 84.4% of the initial value in hk dogs; it decreased only to 90.5% in clinically normal dogs. At 24 hours, methemoglobin concentration was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in HK dogs than in clinically normal dogs. The concentration of erythrocyte oxidized glutathione increased about fivefold at 10 hours in HK dogs, whereas it did not change during the experimental period in clinically normal dogs. In addition, at 12 hours, the proportion of erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies increased to 24.4% in hk dogs, but increased only to 1.2% in clinically normal dogs. Thus, results indicated that HK dogs were more susceptible to the oxidant action of onions than were clinically normal dogs.

VECTORCARDIOGRAMS IN CARDIOVASCULAR LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH KAWASAKI DISEASE

Cardiac involvement is one of the major complications of Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome). Although the frequent association of coronary artery lesions in this disease is well known, other cardiac abnormalities such as myocarditis, arrhythmia and mitral insufficiency are not uncommon. In order to evaluate the usefulness of vectorcardiography in the diagnosis of cardiac involvement in this disease, quantitative analysis of serial Frank lead vectorcardiograms was performed in 100 patients.The outstanding vectorcardiographic findings in the early acute phase of the disease were (1) anterior displacement of the T loop, (2) decreased magnitude of the maximum QRS and T vectors and (3) decrease in the spatial length/width ratio (L/w ratio) of the T loop. Although the PR interval was usually prolonged in the third and the fourth weeks, this was not seen in cases with coronary aneurysm. The L/W ratio was smallest in the first week of the illness and the largest in the third week. The vectorcardiographic changes were more marked in cases with high erythrocyte sedimentation rates or long febrile periods and in those complicated with coronary aneurysm.The above findings suggest that vectorcardiography is of considerable value in detecting cardiac involvement in Kawasaki disease.

Treatment of advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease: alternating noncrossresistant MOPP/CABS is not superior to MOPP.

One hundred twenty-five assessable patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease were randomized to receive mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) or MOPP alternating with lomustine (CCNU), doxorubicin, bleomycin, and streptozocin (CABS). The median follow-up is 7.7 years. The complete response rate was 60 of 66 MOPP-treated patients (91%) and 54 of 59 MOPP/CABS-treated patients (92%) (difference not significant). The level of the disease-free survival curve at longest follow-up is 65% for MOPP-treated patients and 72% for MOPP/CABS-treated patients (difference not significant). The overall survival at 12 years is projected at 68% for MOPP-treated patients and 54% for MOPP/CABS-treated patients (difference not significant). Thus, there were no significant differences in efficacy between MOPP and MOPP/CABS. However, MOPP/CABS was more emetogenic than MOPP, and four MOPP/CABS-treated patients went on to develop secondary acute leukemia. No MOPP-treated patients developed leukemia. High initial erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and high platelet counts adversely affected treatment outcome. MOPP-treated patients who received greater than 81% of the projected dose intensity of vincristine over the first three cycles had significantly improved disease-free survival rates over those receiving less than 81%. MOPP/CABS-treated patients who received greater than 82% of the projected dose intensity of vincristine had significantly better overall survival than those who received less than 82%. Disease-free survival on both arms was significantly better in patients who received greater than 84% of the projected dose intensity of all agents. The effect of dose intensity was particularly apparent in patients with poor prognostic factors where those who received greater than 84% of the projected dose intensity of all agents had significantly improved disease-free and overall survival.

Relationship between total magnesium concentration and free intracellular magnesium in sheep red blood cells

The cellular free magnesium concentration of ionophore A23187 permeabilized high potassium sheep erythrocytes was measured by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the total cellular magnesium concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The free versus total cellular magnesium concentrations yield a linear relationship on a log-log scale in the concentration range from 0.3 to 1.92 mmol Mg/liter cells. Thus, free intracellular magnesium concentrations can be calculated from atomic absorption data. The method permits the estimation of physiologically or experimentally induced variations of intracellular free magnesium concentrations between 7 and 405 μM magnesium in cell water. This range encompasses the free magnesium concentration of 335 ± 60 μM in cell water determined for untreated erythrocytes.

Effects of prednisolone therapy on arterial angiographic features in Takayasu's disease

Patients with Takayasu's disease in the active stage, a time when the inflammatory activity is well reflected by high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, usually respond to corticosteroid therapy. 1–4 There has been no angiographic evidence of any positive attenuation of the arterial stenoses except in 2 cases. 5,6 Long-term prednisolone therapy guidelines have also not been documented. I report here the results of a prospective, long-term follow-up study on 118 patients with Takayasu's disease. A comparison of the angiograms obtained at different times in 1 patient was made. Using the life-table method, decrease in the percentage of patients who required prednisolone therapy is estimated. In addition, the method of prednisolone therapy is given attention.

Influence of the blood sampling site on some haematological and clinical-chemical parameters in sprague-dawley rats

Differences in haematology and serum chemistry values related to site and method of blood sampling in Sprague-Dawley rats are described. Blood was collected from the orbital sinus, the abdominal aorta, and the carotid artery under anaesthesia, and from the tail vein after prewarming the rat. Regardless of the technique used, arterial blood had lower leucocyte counts and serum protein levels and higher glucose concentrations than did venous blood. Compared to the other techniques studied, tail-vein blood yielded slightly higher erythrocyte counts and haemoglobin concentrations, and markedly higher serum potassium concentrations. Of the methods used in this study, the tail-vein technique can be recommended for routine blood sampling in rats, because this method is repeatable, yields enough blood of acceptable quality and is aesthetically acceptable.

The Effect of Thymosin Fraction 5 on Lipid Peroxidation in Rabbits Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet

Plasma and erythrocyte lipid levels and susceptibility of erythrocytes to lipid peroxidation were determined in rabbits fed diet containing 2% (w/w) cholesterol, for 3 months. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits had high plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels as compared to control rabbits. After high-cholesterol diet, the rabbits in the experimental group were divided into two groups. The first group was fed a normal diet for 21 days and the second group was given normal diet plus thymosin F5 injections every other day for the same period. At the end of this period, plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were significantly decreased in the group injected with thymosin F5.

Erythrocyte Na,Li Countertransport and Arterial Pressure in Diabetic Adolescents

The aim of this study was to analyze Na,Li countertransport in erythrocytes from adolescents with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to see if those with elevated values present distinct clinical features, in particular as regards arterial pressure and urinary albumin excretion (UAE). Twenty-nine adolescents with IDDM (17 males, 12 females, mean age 15 +/- 0.6 years, mean diabetes duration 11.4 +/- 0.7 years) and fifteen healthy age-matched control subjects (8 males, 7 females, age 14.5 +/- 1 years) were investigated. Diabetic adolescents had a RBC Na,Li countertransport activity higher than age matched normal controls; geometric mean 283 (95% limits 259-340) vs. 193 (169-252) mumol/l RBC/h; p less than 0.01. Seven out of 29 subjects had values higher than the 95th percentile of normal subjects (Counter +). Both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were significantly higher in Counter + than in Counter - patients. No significant differences were found as regards age, body mass index, diabetes duration, HbA1c, fructosamine, serum potassium, triglycerides, creatinine clearance and UAE. The logarithm of systolic pressure was independently positively correlated with ln Na,Li countertransport (r = 0.38; p less than 0.05), ln [Nai] (r = 0.38; p less than 0.05), and ln body mass index (r = 0.5; p less than 0.01) in diabetic patients. The main finding of this study is that diabetic adolescents with a high erythrocyte Na,Li countertransport rate have an arterial pressure significantly higher than patients with normal Na,Li countertransport fluxes.

Hepatic Cyst Infection in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

To characterize the syndrome of hepatic cyst infection in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and to review its diagnosis and management, we retrospectively studied five such cases in patients from our institution and nine detailed case reports from the literature. The clinical manifestations were an acute (58%) or subacute (42%) febrile illness, typically associated with tenderness in the right upper quadrant, leukocytosis, a very high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, but minor abnormalities of liver function tests. Bacteremia was present in 7 of 11 patients. Enterobacteriaceae grew in pure culture from the cyst fluid in 9 of 12 patients. Complex cysts were observed by ultrasonography (in four of eight patients), computed tomography (in six of nine), and magnetic resonance imaging (in two of two). 111In leukocyte scans were positive in all four patients in whom they were done, and 67Ga scans were positive in only one of three patients. An unfavorable outcome was observed in six of seven patients treated with only antibiotics, in contrast with one of seven patients who received antibiotics and early drainage. In two patients, ciprofloxacin cyst levels were 2.3 and 4.8 times higher than the level in serum; in a third patient, cyst levels remained in therapeutic range 30 hours after the last dose of ciprofloxacin, at which time serum levels were undetectable. Clinical and laboratory features and the use of modern scanning techniques facilitate a prompt diagnosis of infection in hepatic cysts in ADPKD. The treatment of choice is a combination of percutaneous drainage and antimicrobial therapy.

Inflammatory myofibrohistiocytic proliferation simulating sarcoma in children

The term "inflammatory myofibrohistiocytic proliferation" (IMP) has been proposed to replace the conventional designations of plasma cell granuloma and inflammatory pseudotumor. Three cases of extrapulmonary IMP in children are reported, including an intracerebral lesion which has been formerly undescribed. In children, IMP may be associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In this clinical setting, differentiation of a rapidly growing but benign IMP from a bona fide sarcoma is of paramount importance.

Essential hypertension in blacks: Epidemiology, characteristics, and possible roles of racial differences in sodium, potassium, and calcium regulation

Racial differences in the regulation of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ have been shown both at the systemic and cellular levels. These include a higher incidence of "salt sensitivity," lower urinary K+ excretion, lower plasma renin activity, and higher circulating levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and 1.25 dihydroxyvitamin D in blacks than in whites. Blacks exhibit a higher erythrocyte Na+ concentration, coupled with a lower maximal initial reaction velocity of erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase. Blacks also appear to differ from whites in erythrocyte Na+, K+ cotransport and Na-Li countertransport. Moreover, they show a higher activity of the Na(+)-H+ antiport in skin fibroblasts and a greater response of cellular Ca2+ signaling to agonists in serum. Mechanisms linking some of these racial differences in ionic metabolism to the increased propensity of blacks to develop essential hypertension are proposed, and the epidemiology and characteristics of this disease in blacks are reviewed.

Erythrocyte concentrations and transmembrane fluxes of sodium and potassium in essential hypertension: Role of intrinsic and environmental factors

The intraerythrocyte sodium concentration is increased in the erythrocytes of Zaïrean Bantu with untreated hypertension, while the red blood cell potassium is not different from that of normotensive subjects. Compared with whites, normotensive healthy blacks have a higher intracellular concentration of sodium due to a depressed activity of the sodium-potassium pump. Normotensive healthy males with a positive familial background of hypertension display higher erythrocyte sodium and lower cotransport activity. None of the two measurements offer a clear-cut genetic marker of essential hypertension. In healthy women, the erythrocyte sodium concentration is lowered during the luteal as compared with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This variability explains the difference observed between men and women. A low-sodium diet stimulates the activity of the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, which leads to a decrease in the erythrocyte sodium concentration. Both alterations reverse only slowly during sodium repletion. It is therefore suggested that an adequate matching for race, sex, stage of the menstrual cycle (in women), family history of hypertension, and the amount of sodium in the diet should be a prerequisite for valid conclusions when interpreting the erythrocyte concentration and fluxes of sodium.

A Comparison Between the Main Clinical Signs of Milk Fever in Cows with Those of Hypocalcaemia Induced by Na2EDTA Solution

In one study, 6 cows with high erythrocyte potassium concentrations (HK cows) and 7 with low erythrocyte potassium concentrations (LK cows) were infused with 4.7% Na2EDTA solution intravenously for 4 h. The immediately observable clinical signs and the sequelae over a period of weeks were recorded and compared. There were no differences in the clinical responses of HK or LK cows to the infusion of Na2EDTA. In a second study, these clinical signs plus those produced experimentally by three other research groups were compared with both the clinical signs of milk fever recorded in three text books and those observed by one of the authors over a period of 25 years in dairy cattle practice. All of the clinical signs of milk fever occurred in the experimental model, but there were extra signs (excessive salivation, excessive lip and tongue actions, and tail lifting) which were not present or recorded in naturally occurring cases of hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia induced in cows by the intravenous infusion of 4.7% Na2EDTA solution is a reasonably good model for the reproduction of the clinical signs of milk fever, but because of the extraneous signs, and the unusual nature of the subsequent deaths of 3 of 13 cows infused for 4 h, and the death of 1 of 2 cows infused for 4 h daily for 3 days, the model may not be a valid one for periods longer than 4 h in cows.

柴犬にみられた偽高カリウム血症

Extremely elevated serum potassium levels were detected in a healthy Shiba breed dog and a mixed Shiba breed dog with pyometra. They received no drugs prior to blood examination, and had normal ACTH stimulation test results and BUN concentration. Pseudohyperkalemia, secondary to high potassium erythrocytes, was diagnosed in these dogs by measuring red cell potassium content.Secondary, red cell potassium and sodium content were measured in another 16 Shiba breed dogs and 18 nonindigenous pure breed control dogs to know the frequency of high potassium erythrocytes in Shiba breed dogs. Four of 16 (25%) Shiba breed dogs had high potassium erythrocytes. On the other hand, red cell potassium content of the remaining 12 Shiba breed dogs that had low potassium erythrocytes was significantly (p<0.001) higher than that of the control dogs, whereas there were no significant differences in sodium content between these two groups. We could not make clear the cause of this difference in potassium content.

Consequences of maternal anaemia on outcome of pregnancy in a malaria endemic area in Papua New Guinea

The prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy was investigated in relation to parasite and spleen rates of pregnant women living in a defined study area in rural Madang, Papua New Guinea. The effects in pregnancy of anaemia, iron deficiency and malaria on the foetus were investigated. There is a high prevalence of anaemia in this population, with 44% of primigravidae and 29% of multigravidae having severe anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) less than 8 g dl-1] after 28 weeks gestation. The odds ratio for severe anaemia at 0-16 weeks gestation in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women was 4.7 (P less than 0.0001). Forty-seven per cent of primigravidae and 32% of multigravidae had evidence of iron deficiency with high free erythrocyte protoporphyrin values (greater than 35 micrograms dl-1 whole blood) at antenatal booking. The risk of severe anaemia was significantly associated with splenomegaly and iron deficiency for all gravidae (splenomegaly P less than 0.05; iron deficiency, P less than 0.0002). Hb values at delivery were higher than at first attendance, with the greatest difference between groups malaria-positive at booking and malaria-negative at delivery (primigravidae 1.5 g dl-1, P less than 0.01; multigravidae, 0.7 g dl-1, P less than 0.01), indicating that malaria prophylaxis was an important factor in controlling anaemia. Two Hb groups were defined on the basis of the cut-off at 8 g dl-1, which corresponded to the lower quartile value at booking and delivery. A significantly increased risk of low birthweight was shown for primigravidae with values below 8 g dl-1 (65% v. 27%, P less than 0.025), but the prematurity rate was not significantly increased, indicating that the majority of babies were growth-retarded. Early pregnancy anaemia and iron deficiency were related to the risk of low birthweight in primigravidae. Current parasitaemia at delivery appeared a less important factor, although primigravidae with severe anaemia and parasitaemia at delivery had the lowest birthweights. The extent to which malaria control, using drug treatment and chemoprophylaxis, can reduce the risk of low birthweight will vary in relation to the prevalence and causes of anaemia in women.