Microscopic Examination Of Blood Research Articles

Analysis of Secondary Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Children Aged 0-18: A Case Study of an Inpatient at Hospital X in Central Java Province

Children ages 0 - 18 are more susceptible to infected COVID-19. The prognosis of pediatric patients can be significantly worse by the presence of a secondary diagnosis. This study's aim was to categorize pediatric patients according to their age, sex, length of stay (LOS), subsequent diagnoses, and treatments. Samples were taken from the medical records of 19 pediatric patients, ages 0-18, who were hospitalized at X Hospital. The data are descriptively analyzed in this study using secondary data taken from the medical records of pediatric patients from April 2020 to February 2021. According to the study's findings, 79% of the pediatric COVID-19 patients were under the age of five, 58% of them were men, and their average length of stay was 9.53 days. The most common secondary diagnoses were Febrile convulsions (9%) and Hypo-osmolality and hyponatraemia (9%). Microscopic inspection of specimen from the ear, nose, throat, and larynx (35%), Other chest x-ray (27%), and Microscopic examination of blood (8%) were the treatment and procedures that were performed the most frequently. Children who are COVID-19 patients between the ages of 0 - 18 have a high number of secondary diagnoses and medical procedures during therapy, necessitating more intensive monitoring.

Utilization of long lasting insecticidal net among children aged less than five years in a tertiary health facility in south-west Nigeria

ABSTRACT Introduction Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the most widely used vector control interventions for preventing malaria transmission. The study sought to determine the regular use of LLIN, factors associated with the usage and the effect of regular LLIN utilization on the development of malaria among under-five children. Methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional observation study. We enrolled consecutive caregivers with their children aged 6 to 59 months who presented with fever in the absence of a localizing sign. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information about the level of utilization of LLIN. Malaria parasitemia was detected using the P. falciparum rapid diagnostic test kit and/or microscopic examination of blood. Results A total of 303 children/caregivers pair was studied. The mother’s mean (SD) age was 37.17 (6.75) years, while the children was 24.36 (16.63) months. The majority (183; 60.4%) of the children were male. Parental awareness of LLIN was high (96.7%), LLIN ownership was 72.3%, however, only 119 (39.3%) were regular user of LLIN. Factors significantly associated with regular LLIN use were younger age, parental awareness, ownership of LLIN, source of acquisition of LLIN and permanently hanging the LLIN on sleeping space (p = 0.031, 0.010, 0.000, 0.006 and 0.000 respectively). Using binary logistic regression, the child’s age, source of LLIN and hanging the LLIN permanently on the bed remained statistically significant to the regular use of LLIN (p = 0.046, 0.035 and 0.000 respectively). The frequency of malaria was significantly higher among the children who did not use and those who uses LLIN irregularly (97.1% versus 32.9%, p = 0.000). Conclusions Regular use of LLIN is low in the study area. Hanging the insecticidal bed-net permanently on the bed/sleeping space promotes its regular usage. The frequency of malaria was reduced among the children using the LLIN regularly.

Bacteriological profile in falcon-like birds under aviary captive conditions

Bacteriological studies of material from the pharynx and cloaca from clinically healthy saker falcons and eastern imperial eagles under aviary captive conditions were carried out. Indicated are eleven cultures of pathogenic and conditionally-pathogenic microorganisms represented in the association. Microscopic examination of blood in erythrocytes revealed hemosporidia. Conducted macro – and microscopic, as well as helminthological study of feces. The invasion rate was 32.6%. Revealed 2 types of helminths. The obtained results may indicate persistent carriage of the causative factor of infections and the formation of foci of helminthiases and haemosporidia.

Incidental detection of microfilaria in various autopsy specimens: A study at tertiary care hospital

Background: Autopsy examinations are necessary to rule out cause of death, and simultaneously, it also detects incidental pathologies which might not be a leading cause of death. Till date, no one has reported autopsy examination utility for the detection of microfilaria burden. In this retrospective study, we analyzed cases with incidental finding of asymptomatic cases of microfilaria. Objectives: Our main aim was to highlight its burden within the region of South Gujarat where filariasis is endemic despite various government programs to control and eradicate it. Materials and Methods: We have analyzed the autopsy reporting data during the period of January 2013–December 2013 from a tertiary care hospital of South Gujarat. Along with tissue section, we also processed blood clot from heart chambers for microscopic examination to confirm diagnosis. Results: A total of 19 cases of 607 autopsy cases showed the presence of microfilaria in various organs such as heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain without any tissue reaction. All sections from blood clot showed the presence of circulating microfilaria in positive cases. Among all organ sections, we were able to get it most commonly in the heart interstitial spaces in majority of the cases. Conclusion: This study showed 3.1% prevalence of asymptomatic circulating microfilaria cases. This can be one of the ways to measure the prevalence of microfilaria in endemic regions as routine screening and diagnostic procedure has their known limitations. The technique to find microfilaria can be also strengthened by microscopic examination of blood clot from heart chamber or heart auricles.

A dual colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for identifying the zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi with a potential application for the specific diagnosis of knowlesi malaria in peripheral-level laboratories of Southeast Asia

BackgroundPlasmodium knowlesi is primarily responsible for zoonotic malaria in several Southeast Asian countries. Precise identification of the parasite in the blood of patients presently relies on an expensive and elaborate PCR procedure because microscopic examination of blood and other available field identification techniques lack adequate specificity. Therefore, the use of a simple and inexpensive dual-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay, analogous to FISH assays recently described for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, was investigated as a potential tool for identifying P. knowlesi.ResultsA P. knowlesi 18S rDNA sequence-based DNA probe was used to test thin blood smears of P. knowlesi by FISH, and fluorescence viewed in a light microscope fitted with a light emitting diode light source and appropriate emission and barrier filters. The limit of detection in the P. knowlesi FISH assay was 84 parasites per μl in infected monkey blood and 61 parasites per μl for P. knowlesi cultured in human blood. The P. knowlesi-specific FISH probe detected only P. knowlesi and not P. falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, P. vivax or a panel of other human blood-borne pathogens. A previously described Plasmodium genus-specific probe used simultaneously in the P. knowlesi FISH assay reacted with all tested Plasmodium species.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first description of a FISH assay for P. knowlesi that is potentially useful for diagnosing infections in remote laboratories in endemic countries.

Comparative Evaluation of Microscopy and PCR Assay for Detection of Theileria annulata Infection in Ruminants

Bovine tropical theileriosis, a tick borne haemoprotozoan disease, is one of the major threats to the health and production of cattle in the tropics and sub tropics. Diagnosis of the disease mainly relies upon clinical signs and microscopic examination of blood and lymphnode aspirate smears, which suffers with low diagnostic sensitivity, especially in carrier animals. Hence, the microscopy (gold standard test) and a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) were compared in terms of sensitivity, in the prsesnt study. For this, a total of 250 blood samples (cattle-215 and buffaloe-35) suspected for theileriosis were collected and initially screened by microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thin blood smear followed by Tams1 gene based PCR assay. A total of 55 (22.0%) and 95 (38.0%) samples were found positive for Theileria annulata infection by microscopy and PCR assay, respectively. In order to analyze the detection limit of the given PCR assay, the amplifed product was cloned in pTZ57R/T cloning vector with DH5α (E. coli) as host cells. The recombinant plasmid was isolated from the bacterial cells and concentration of the same was measured and then, a 10 fold serial dilution of the same was used as template in PCR assay. Present study concludes that Tams1 based PCR has very high level of sensitivity (with respect to microscopy) and detection limit of the test is 10-7ng/μl parasite DNA.

Taking "Cellfies": Blood Morphology in the Era of Smartphones

Background: Microscopic examination of blood and marrow smears by hematologists is an essential clinical skill at risk of extinction in this high-tech era. This skill is on the decline being replaced by the reliance on flow cytometry, FISH, and molecular diagnostics. Five years ago, we observed that photographs of the oil-immersion field (OIF) in focus could be taken by positioning the smartphone camera lens close to either eyepiece. The captured image could be viewed on the smartphone, swiped to view detail, stored, and shared. We coined the term "Cellfie" for this smartphone image of the OIF. Cellfies can be taken with any smartphone at any microscope, with most learners taking a few minutes for their first Cellfie, and experts able to take Cellfies in a few seconds. Since 2012, we have taught fellows to use Cellfies at the microscope in the hospital and in clinic, and we present the experience of our hematology fellows using Cellfies.Methods: We surveyed past and current hematology fellows (Class of 2015-to Class of 2019) regarding their experience with Cellfies.Results: Nineteen of the twenty fellows invited to participate in the survey responded (95%). Two were PGY IV, 4 were PGY V, and 6 were PGY-VI. Four were fellows who graduated and in practice for one year (3 fellows did not provide level of training). Fifteen of 19 fellows (79%) had taken a Cellfie at some point during their training. Five took <10 Cellfies, 4 took 10-20 Cellfies, and one fellow had taken 50 or more Cellfies. Eight (53%) fellows rated the technique as ’easy’, and 6 as ’difficult’ (40%); one patient found the technique ’very difficult’. Cellfies were commonly used for consultation (80% of responders) and morphology teaching or use in conferences (67%). Only 2 responders had ever used Cellfies to paste in the electronic medical record (EMR). Overall, 80% of the responders thought Cellfies as a very useful tool in their everyday hematology practice.Conclusion: Cellfie use by hematology fellows has resurrected this essential clinical skill of expertise in blood morphology. We have found a way to rekindle a passion for morphology and renew enthusiasm amongst hematology fellows, residents, and students to use information from microscopy as an essential component of their clinical skills. Taking and sharing Cellfies has the potential to put microscope skills back at the bedside, enable rapid diagnosis and treatment, shorten time to intervention in emergencies (acute promyelocytic leukemia, microangiopathy syndromes for example), expedite consultation after-hours and weekends, improve the quality of documentation in EMRs, create a portfolio of stored images for review, and teaching, and enhance patient-care. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Can exome scans be expected to be part of real‐time decision‐making in patients with haematological cancers?

The laboratory aspects of diagnosis of patients with haematological malignancies are forever changing. Microscopic examination of blood and bone marrow smears, cytogenetics, flow cytometry and single-assay molecular diagnostics have been and are still essential tools in cancer diagnostics. Flow cytometry has brought the unprecedented possibility of rapid multiplexing and characterization of complex immunophenotypic patterns. However, the advent of next generation sequencing in the haematology laboratory brings a whole new perspective on multiplexing and potentially lowers the cost per analysis effectively. These informative methods still require skilled technicians and bioinformaticians, evolve at a rapid pace, and call for clinical guidelines and best practice. Here, we discuss the potential and caveats of whole exome sequencing as it moves closer to routine laboratory practice. The question is: Will exome sequencing be performed, real-time, in the standard haemodiagnostic laboratory?

Accuracy of immunochromatography diagnostic test versus microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria among clinically suspected patients in Jazan area, KSA

Background Malaria has been documented as a major health problem in Saudi Arabia, and it is highly endemic especially in the Southwest (Jazan and Asir). Its control is considered a challenge; hence proper diagnosis is essential for implementation of successful control programs. Accordingly, the diagnostic test used should be easy, rapid, and reliable, besides it must be accurate and cost effective. Objective This work aims to study reliability and diagnostic accuracy of an immunochromatographic test (ICT) using BinaxNOW® malaria test compared to microscopical examination of blood film as gold standard for malaria diagnosis among clinically suspected patients in Jazan area, KSA. Methods A cross sectional prospective designed study was done for 200 patients with prolonged fever attending Jazan general hospitals. Venous blood samples were collected for both microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood and rapid ICT (BinaxNOW®). Results Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed 64 out of 200 cases (32%) positive for Plasmodium spp.; 43 out of 64 (67.2%) were positive for P. falciparum; 12 (18.7%) had mixed infection including P. falciparum; and 9 (14.1%) belonged to other Plasmodium spp. of which 8 (12.5%) were P. vivax and one case (1.6%) was P. ovale. ICT showed 66 out of 200 (33%) cases with positive results for Plasmodium spp. and one sample gave an invalid result. The overall sensitivity and specificity of ICT were 97% and 96%, respectively. While for single P. falciparum infection sensitivity and specificity were 96.7% and 78%, respectively. Regarding Plasmodium spp. other than P. falciparum sensitivity was 91.6% and specificity was 100%. Conclusion The use of ICT complement to microscopy is of great value particularly in Jazan, KSA, where P. falciparum and P. vivax are the most prevalent Plasmodium spp. These methods help in expanding laboratory based diagnosis, and minimize malaria associated morbidity and mortality.

Seroprevalence of vector borne parasites in naturally exposed dogs of Assam, India

Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of vector(tick)-borne Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi and mosquito-borne Dirofilaria immitis in naturally exposed pet, working, and street dogs in Assam, India. Materials and Methods: Seroprevalence of B. canis and B. gibsoni was determined using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) kit and for D. immitis, E. canis and B. burgdorferi by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in SNAP 3DX kit. The results along with blood microscopy findings were analyzed according to different categories of dogs. Results: The present study revealed the presence of Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Dirofilaria immitis, and Ehrlichia canis usually in mixed infections. Seropositivity against B. gibsoni and B. canis in IFAT was found comparatively higher in hospital dogs (84.0% and 22.0%) than the street dogs (73.3% and 10%), whereas evidence of D. immitis infection in SNAP 3DX ELISA was found higher in street dogs (37.5%) than the hospital group (10%). Antibody to E. canis was detected in hospital dogs (32.0%) only and none of the dogs was found positive for Borrelia burgdorferi in the same ELISA kit. Besides detection of B. canis, B. gibsoni, D. immitis and E. canis in single or mixed infections, Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma platys were also recorded in 2.0% and 8.0% respectively in hospital dogs and 3.33% and 6.66% in street dogs during microscopic examination of blood. Conclusion: High seroprevalence supported by microscopic findings indicate a very strong influence of ticks and mosquitoes as competent vectors in establishing an endemic situation for different species of Babesia, Dirofilaria and Ehrlichia.

Fertility, gestation outcome and parasite congenital transmissibility in mice infected with TcI, TcII and TcVI genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi.

This work aims to compare the effects of acute or chronic infections with the T. cruzi genotypes TcI (X10 strain), TcII (Y strain) and TcVI (Tulahuen strain) on fertility, gestation, pup growth and the possible vertical transmission of parasites in BALB/c mice. The occurrence of congenital infection was evaluated by microscopic examination of blood and/or qPCR on blood and heart in newborn pups and/or older offspring submitted to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in order to detect possible cryptic congenital infection. Altogether, the results show that: i) for the three strains tested, acute infection occurring after the embryo implantation in the uterus (parasite inoculation 4 days before mating), or close to delivery (parasite inoculation on day 13 of gestation), prevents or severely jeopardizes gestation outcome (inducing pup mortality and intra-uterine growth retardation); ii) for the three strains tested, gestation during chronic infection results in intra-uterine growth retardation, whereas re-inoculation of TcVI parasites during gestation in such chronically infected mice, in addition, strongly increases pup mortality; iii) congenital infection remains a rare consequence of infection (occurring in approximately 4% of living pups born to acutely infected dams); iv) PCR, detecting parasitic DNA and not living parasites, is not convenient to detect congenial infection close to delivery; v) transmission of parasites by breast milk is unlikely. This study should encourage further investigations using other parasite strains and genotypes to explore the role of virulence and other factors, as well as the mechanisms of such effects on gestation and on the establishment of congenital infection.

Glycan microarray profiling of parasite infection sera identifies the LDNF glycan as a potential antigen for serodiagnosis of trichinellosis

Diagnostic methods for parasite infections still highly depend on the identification of the parasites by direct methods such as microscopic examination of blood, stool and tissue biopsies. Serodiagnosis is often carried out to complement the direct methods; however, few synthetic antigens with sufficient sensitivity and specificity are available. Here we evaluated a glycan microarray approach to select for synthetic glycan antigens that could be used for serodiagnosis of parasitic infections. Using a glycan array containing over 250 different glycan antigens, we identified GalNAcβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAc-R (LDNF) as a glycan antigen that is recognized by antibodies from Trichinella-infected individuals. We synthesized a neoglycoconjugate, consisting of five LDNF molecules covalently coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), and used this neoglycoconjugate as an antigen to develop a highly sensitive total-Ig ELISA for serological screening of trichinellosis. The results indicate that glycan microarrays constitute a promising technology for fast and specific identification of parasite glycan antigens to improve serodiagnosis of different parasitic infections, either using an ELISA format, or parasite-specific glycan arrays.

Detectable Trypanosoma cruzi Parasitemia during Pregnancy and Delivery as a Risk Factor for Congenital Chagas Disease

Vector control has led to a drastic decrease in the prevalence of acquired Chagas disease in Latin America, thus redirecting attention to congenital Chagas disease. We report results of a longitudinal study of 359 pregnant women in Yacuiba in southern Bolivia, of whom 147 (40.9%) were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, to evaluate the relationship between the patency period of the parasitemia and the risk of congenital infection. Maternal infection was assessed by using T. cruzi-specific serologic tests, and parasitemia in mothers and newborns was diagnosed by using microscopic examination of blood in heparinized microhematocrit tubes. Parasitemia was present in 28.6% of the infected women. Its prevalence increased during the third trimester, then decreased at delivery. The likelihood of congenital infection was significantly correlated with the parasite density in the mother's blood. The risk of transmission increased during the third trimester of pregnancy and could explain premature births or low-weight newborns for infected mothers.

Screening for Chagas' disease in HIV-positive immigrants from endemic areas

Chagas' disease is an opportunistic infection in the setting of HIV/AIDS. The arrival of HIV-positive immigrants from endemic areas to non-endemic countries makes possible the detection of Chagas' disease in this group of patients. We describe the results of a screening programme conducted in the HIV-positive immigrant population arriving from endemic areas who attended the Tropical Medicine Unit of Hospital Universitario Central of Asturias during 2008. We determined anti-T. cruzi antibodies in all HIV patients arriving from endemic areas who were followed up. The ID-Chagas antibody test was used as a screening assay. The positive cases were confirmed with ELISA, IFAT and PCR. We analysed 19 HIV-positive immigrants, of which two (10·5%) had a positive antibody test for Chagas' disease confirmed. PCR was positive in both cases. There was no difference between the co-infected and the non-co-infected patients with respect to race, place of birth and residence, CD4+ cell count, and HIV viral load count. Direct microscopic examination of blood was negative in both positive cases. The positive patients were a man from Bolivia and woman from Paraguay. The overlap of HIV and T. cruzi infection occurs not only in endemic areas but also in non-endemic areas of North America and Europe where the diagnosis may be even more difficult due to low diagnostic suspicion. The implementation of screening programmes in this population group is needed for the early diagnostic of Chagas' disease.

Sleeping sickness (ss) in the Abraka Belt: a preliminary geographical description of the disease focus.

Sleeping sickness (SS) in the Abraka belt: a preliminary geographical description of the disease focus.Annals Biomedical Sciences 2002;1:111-117.This retrospective study provides an analysis of the epidemiological data on Sleeping Sickness (SS) cases between January 1999 and December 2001 at the Baptist Medical Centre (BMC) Eku, Nigeria, as well as a preliminary geographical documentation of the disease focus in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Twenty six parasitologically confirmed SS cases by microscopic examination of blood, lymph node aspirate or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)) made up of 14 (53.8%) males and 12 (46.2%) females aged between 0 – 70years (mean 29.88 +18.89), were seen during the period of study. Peak incidence occurred at age 0 – 20 years with 11 (42.3%) cases. There were more males (53.8%) than females (46.2%). Fifteen (57.7%) of the patients had stage I infection with positive results for blood smear and lymph node aspirate microscopy, while 11 (42.3%) had stage II infection with trypanosomes in their CSF. This study reveals that the Abraka Sleeping Sickness focus (ASSF) is a stretch of forested wetland along the margin of the river Ethiope located at the boundary between Edo and Delta States, South South of Nigeria between latitudes 5o 30 and 6o 30 North of Equator. It is an area of rainforest vegetation with an average temperature of 27oC, made up of 9 endemic villages namely Eku, Orhuoka, Abraka, Ugono, Kwale Obiaraku, Umuebu, Urhonigbe and Sanubi with an estimated population at risk of 56,851. This update of the epidemiological status of SS in the Abraka belt represents an effort towards the development of control measure against the disease in the area. Keywords : Sleeping sickness, Abraka focus, Nigeria. Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (2) 2002: pp. 111-117

NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS IN THE AMAUROTIC RETARDATE: ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC CONFIRMATION

The clinical features of two cases of blindness with pigmentary retinopathy in young retardates are presented. The diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten's Disease) was suspected. This was confirmed in both cases by electron microscopic examination of blood and skin with demonstration of fingerprint and curvilinear inclusions. These inclusions are present in cells other than neurons; circulating lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells and eccrine sweat glands suggesting a more widespread pathological process. Less invasive procedures namely venepuncture and skin biopsy may be preferred to brain and rectal biopsy in the absence of a practical biochemical analysis at the present time.

Manifestations of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in patients with HIV/AIDS

Between June 1989 and December 2005, an observational study of adults co-infected with HIV and Trypanosoma cruzi was conducted, to investigate the spectrum of manifestations of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in the HIV-positive. The 31 men and 22 women investigated were aged 23-59 years. Each subject was investigated by ambulatory (Holter) and non-ambulatory electrocardiography, chest X-ray, oesophagography and echocardiography (to determine the clinical form of trypanosomiasis), by xenodiagnosis, blood culture and the microscopical examination of blood (to explore their T. cruzi parasitaemia), and by counting their CD4 T cells (to stage their HIV infection). The subjects were followed-up for 1-190 months (median = 58 months) and checked for re-activation of their Chagas disease, which was usually defined by the occurrence of unusual clinical manifestations and/or the detection, by microscopical examination, of trypanosomes in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Eleven (20.8%) of the subjects showed re-activation, another nine (17.0%) were found to have developed high T. cruzi parasitaemias but these were only detected by xenodiagnosis or culture, and 15 (28.3%) had illnesses typical of chronic Chagas disease in HIV-negative individuals, with low parasitaemias. Anti-T. cruzi therapy (benznidazole), recommended for 17 patients, resulted in the sustained reduction of parasitaemia in 11 of the 12 subjects who completed treatment. Chagas disease was the cause of death of eight of the 14 subjects who died during the study. Four of the women investigated gave birth, each to a single child, during follow-up, and three of the four babies showed evidence of the congenital transmission of T. cruzi.

Automated Neutrophil Morphology and Its Utility in the Assessment of Neutrophil Dysplasia and in the Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

The assessment of neutrophil dysplasia is very useful for the diagnosis of the Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), and the common accepted method for that purpose is the microscopic examination of blood and/or bone marrow smears. But one of the problems in the daily practice, is the lack of reproducibility between the different observers, and technical problems, like the time of the stain, quality of the stain, including quality of the reagents and time of the smear after blood draw. The last advanced hematology instruments, like the Coulter LH750®, provide, together with the report of the WBC differential, automated morphological data about some of the different types of leukocytes: Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes and Eosinophils. This Research Data (RPD), gives information about the Mean and Standard deviation of the Cell Volume, Conductivity, and Scatter using a technology called VCS technology. We have collected 53 patients affected of MDS, and 18 affected with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) and we compared the leukocyte automated leukocyte morphological data (WRPD) of the patients with the WRPD of 59 normal persons. One of the modifications in the actual WHO classifications is the differentiation between CMML with or without dysplasia and Mylodysplastic Syndromes with or without trilineage dysplasia, that also affect the prognosis. We have checked also these new parameters for this purpose. The results have shown: The Mean Neutrophil Scatter (MNES) and Mean Neutrophil Conductivity (MNEC) was significant lower in the MDS compared with the normal (both p<0.0001) the ROC curve analysis show a Sensitivity of 71.8% with a Specificity of 86.4% and a cut off of < 139.3 for the MNESand a Sensitivity of 70.4% with a Specificity of 76.3% and a cut off of < 150.9 for the MNECdetecting MDS. For the differentiation of MDS and CMML with or without dysplasia the results have shown a significant difference p = 0.02 in the MNESbetween CMML-1 and CMML-2 and MDS with or without trilineage dysplasia. The changes in the Neutrophil Scatter and in the Neutrophil Conductivity (lower values) correlates with the dysplastic feature neutrophil degranulation observed in the microscope.Conclussion: MNEC and MNES seem to be useful in the detection of neutrophil dysplasia and helpful in the diagnosis of MDS. [Display omitted]

Chédiak‐Higashi Syndrome: Report of a Case and Review of the Japanese Literature

We report the case of a Japanese female infant with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome born to consanguineous parents. At birth she had fair skin but, when she was three months old, marked hyperpigmentation of the sun-exposed skin areas developed. Microscopic examination of blood and electron microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis. She enjoyed good health until she was two years old when she had pneumonia with marked hepatosplenomegaly. It is important for dermatologists and pediatricians to be aware of the skin manifestations of this disease because hyperpigmentation after sun exposure may be a characteristic, initial feature of this condition.

Infection rates in Glossina morsitans morsitans fed on waterbuck and Boran cattle infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Teneral Glossina morsitans morsitans were fed on waterbuck ( Kobus defassa) and Boran cattle ( Bos indicus) infected experimentally with Trypanosoma congolense clone IL2895. Infection rates in tsetse varied from 9 to 31% when fed on cattle, and from 2 to 59% when fed on waterbuck. In waterbuck, infections were often detected through the development of parasites in tsetse at times when parasitaemia could not be detected through microscopic examination of blood. Male and female, and 1- and 2-day-old flies were equally susceptible to infection on both hosts. Infection in tsetse was associated with a 14% absolute reduction in survival during the month following the infective feed.