Immature Granulocyte Percentage Research Articles

Streptococcal infection in the newborn (author's transl)

28 newborn infants, only 3 of which were female, were treated for early-onset streptococcal septicaemia in the years 1970-1978 at the University Children's Hospital, Freiburg. Overall mortality was 60%, that for premature infants 80%. Almost all infants who died developed D.i.C. 60% had X-ray findings consistent with HMD, even among the mature newborns. 90% showed white blood-cell count changes such as Leucocytopenia, Granulocytopenia, rise in percentage of immature granulocytes, Thrombocytopenia. With the help of these signs and using Gram-stain on stomach aspirates early diagnosis and differentiation from HMD seems feasible.

Changes in hematopoiesis in rats after destruction of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei

The effect of bilateral electrical coagulation of the posterior (nuclei of the mammillary body and the posterior hypothalamic nucleus) part of the hypothalamus on hematopoiesis was studied in rats. Inhibition of erythropoiesis was observed for 28 days after destruction of the nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus: a decrease in proliferative activity and a percentage of erythroid cells in the bone marrow, a decrease in the number of erythrocytes and hematocrit index and an increase in the number of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood. Meanwhile stimulation of granulocytopoiesis was observed: a increase in the proliferative activity and percentage of immature granulocytes in the animals'bone marrow.

Granulocyte function in chronic granulocytic leukemia. II. Bactericidal capacity, phagocytic rate, oxygen consumption, and granule protein composition in isolated granulocytes

The initial rate of phagocytosis, oxygen consumption rate during phagocytosis, bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli, and the granule protein composition of isolated mature-appearing granulocytes were studied in 23 patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) with the simultaneous use of normal controls. The initial rate of phagocytosis was decreased (p less than 0.05) in the CGL patient group, as were oxygen consumption rate (p less than 0.001) and bactericidal capacity (p less than 0.001). Kinetic analysis of the ingestion rate showed CGL granulocytes to have the same capacity to bind the particles as normal granulocytes. Both specific and primary granule protein deficiencies were shown for CGL granulocytes, and these deficiencies were more pronounced at or near blast cell transformation. Analysis of all different granulocyte function parameters showed an inverse correlation to white blood cell counts (p less than 0.01) and to the percentage of immature granulocytes in peripheral blood (p less than 0.001). The leukocytosis doubling time was progressively shortened during the chronic course of the disease. A correlation was found between granulocyte function parameters and leukocytosis doubling time (p less than 0.001), indicating that granulocyte function was progressively deteriorating during chronic phase CGL, and may be an expression of increasing disturbance of the differentiation process.

Granulocyte Function in Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia. II. Bactericidal Capacity, Phagocytic Rate, Oxygen Consumption, and Granule Protein Composition in Isolated Granulocytes

The initial rate of phagocytosis, oxygen consumption rate during phagocytosis, bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli, and the granule protein composition of isolated mature-appearing granulocytes were studied in 23 patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) with the simultaneous use of normal controls. The initial rate of phagocytosis was decreased (p less than 0.05) in the CGL patient group, as were oxygen consumption rate (p less than 0.001) and bactericidal capacity (p less than 0.001). Kinetic analysis of the ingestion rate showed CGL granulocytes to have the same capacity to bind the particles as normal granulocytes. Both specific and primary granule protein deficiencies were shown for CGL granulocytes, and these deficiencies were more pronounced at or near blast cell transformation. Analysis of all different granulocyte function parameters showed an inverse correlation to white blood cell counts (p less than 0.01) and to the percentage of immature granulocytes in peripheral blood (p less than 0.001). The leukocytosis doubling time was progressively shortened during the chronic course of the disease. A correlation was found between granulocyte function parameters and leukocytosis doubling time (p less than 0.001), indicating that granulocyte function was progressively deteriorating during chronic phase CGL, and may be an expression of increasing disturbance of the differentiation process.

THE TREATMENT OF LEUKEMIA

IT IS no longer news that some malignant processes, notably leukemia, can be halted for appreciable periods by chemotherapeutic agents. An important new addition to antileukemic agents is "Myleran" brand 1,4-Dimethanesulfonoxybutane which has produced worthwhile remissions in chronic granulocytic leukemia, apparently by suppressing granulopoiesis. Hematological Response: `Myleran' has a very selective effect upon mature and immature granulocytic elements of the blood, and no effect is observed on the lymphoid elements. Petrakis et al. reported that a total of 80 to 150 mg. orally, over a period of four to six days, produced a decrease in the absolute number and the percentage of both mature and immature granulocytes in all patients. The effect was remarkably uniform beginning slowly at seven to ten days after the start of treatment, and resulting soon after in an abrupt fall in leukocyte count. The lowest leukocyte count was reached in seventeen to twenty-six days, then it began to rise; that was a signal to start maintenance therapy. (In later work, doses of 50 to 100 mg. were used over a ten-day to two-week period for initial therapy.) Duration of Remissions: When after initial therapy the leukocyte count begins to rise, and the hemoglobin level to fall, maintenance therapy is begun. Dosage requires careful individual control; it is usually between 6 and 20 mg. per week. With this treatment remissions of from one to twenty-one months have been obtained. Clinical responses are characterized by a sense of well-being, decrease in spleen and liver size, rise and maintenance of hemoglobin level, and decrease in hemorrhagic manifestations. The use of `Myleran' is restricted to patients where facilities for complete blood counts are available at weekly, or more frequent intervals. The most careful hematological control is essential, since large doses may produce irreversible depression of the bone marrow which may not become obvious for four to six months.

Clinical Study of Bone Marrow by the Method of Sternal Puncture

The material was secured by sternal puncture by a technique similar to that of Arinkin. More than 50 cases were used representing a wide variety of clinical conditions. Smears made from the marrow material were stained with Wright's stain, Cresyl blue reticulocyte stain, Giemsa stain and peroxidase stains, no variations in technique being made from that of peripheral blood smears. This report is limited to a discussion of the Wright stained preparations. The marrow cells are well-preserved and stained. Differential counts of the marrow cell elements have been made. The average of 7 cases with a normal peripheral blood picture was the following cells: Myeloblasts 2.4%; myelocytes 7%; Jung Kernige 6.7%; Stag Kernige 14%; II Segment Neutrophiles 10%; III Segment Neutrophiles 6.3%; IV, V, etc., Segment Neutrophiles 1.1%; Eosinophiles 1%; Basophiles 0.3%; Monocytes and Reticuloendothelial elements 9%; Lymphoid Cells 24.9%; Megaloblasts 5.2%; Normoblasts 6.9%; Primitive Cells 2.6%. These findings agree rather closely with those of Arinkin on similar types of cases. The high percentage of immature granulocytes in our counts confirms the concept of Arneth and Schilling that the neutrophilic nucleus changes progressively with age from the round to the segmented form. The high percentage of juveniles and stabs confirms the idea that these are “young” granulocytes. Cells indistinguishable by Wright's stain from the lymphocytes of peripheral blood are present in practically all of our bone marrow preparations. These we have designated as lymphoid cells. Certain small primitive cells and young myeloblasts may be included in this group. The percentage of lymphoid cells is definitely greater than would be expected from the possible contamination with lymphocytes of peripheral blood. We have not attempted a separation of lymphoblasts from myeloblasts in the Wright stain preparations— all are termed myeloblasts except in the case of lymphatic leukemia.