Platelet Count Count Research Articles

Comparative Clinical Study on the Effectiveness of Homeopathic Combination Remedy with Standard Maintenance Therapy for Dengue Fever

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of homeopathic combination remedy compared with standard maintenance therapy for the treatment of dengue fever.Method: A total of 50 patients with dengue fever were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 was treated with homeopathic combination remedy for consecutive 6 days while standard maintenance therapy was similarly given to Group 2 patients. Their full blood count (FBC) including platelet count (PLT), white blood cell count (WBC) and hematocrit level (HCT) were recorded The parameters were monitored daily in order to determine between the two groups.Results: Following the six-day homeopathic combination remedy, PLT count increased from (95.60 ± 0.04) x 103 to (311 ± 0.13) x 103/μL, and WBC from (79.5 ± 0.05) x 104 to (90.3 ± 0.02) x 104/μL. However, HCT decreased from 48.02 ± 6.70 to 42.32 ± 3.42 %. On the other hand, standard maintenance therapy increased PLT count from (73.44 ± 0.04) x 103 to (239.00 ± 0.04) x 103/μL and WBC from (53.50 ± 0.02) x 104 to (79.40 ± 0.02) x 104/μL, but decreased HCT from 42.30 ± 2.48 to 39.68 ± 4.35 %. A significant difference was seen in the PLT count, WBC and HCT level between the two therapies (p = 0.012, 0.003 and 0.021, respectively).Conclusion: The homeopathic combination appeared to be a more potent treatment against dengue fever; however, further studies are required to demonstrate this clearly.Keywords: Dengue, Hematocrit, Homeopathy, Platelet, Blood count.

The analysis of prognostic factors in treating variceal hemorrhage of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Objective To analyze the prognostic factors in treating variceal hemorrhage patients of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Methods From January 2003 to December 2008, the data of 162 variceal hemorrhage patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension treated with TIPS was collected, which included basic information, biochemical examination results within 7 days before the operation, regular follow-up observation after the surgery and survival data. The survival prognostic indexes were assessed with Cox regression model. Results The successful rate of TIPS was 99% (161/162). The median follow up duration was 21 months. Child-Pugh score and blood platelet count (PLT) were closely correlated with survival (P = 0. 003 and 0. 024). The total cumulative survival rate in patients with Child-Pugh score below nine (75%, 102/136) was higher than over nine (50%, 13/26) (χ2 = 9. 12,P=0. 003).The total cumulative survival rate of patients with PLT count over 47 ×109/L (74%, 82/112) was higher than below 47 × 109/L(66 %, 33/50, χ2 =4. 528, P = 0. 033). The one year after operation cumulative survival rate of liver function Child-Pugh class A, B, and C was 92%, 85%, 55% respectively. Conclusion Child-Pugh score and platelet count are independent predictable factors for the survival of variceal hemorrhage patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension treated by TIPS. The risk increase after operation when Child-Pugh score over 9 and/or PLT count less 47×109 /L. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Hypertension, portal; Esophageal and gastric varices; Gastrintestinal hemorrhage; Prognosis; Portasystemic shunt, transjngular intrahepatic

Immature and absolute platelet count changes and thrombocytopenia in malignant glioma

Temozolomide (TMZ) is commonly used for the therapy of malignant glioma and induces thrombocytopenia in a fraction of patients. Currently, no biomarkers predicting TMZ-induced thrombocytopenia are available. In this study, we investigated whether changes in platelet count (PLT) or the immature platelet fraction (IPF) may serve as predictor of TMZ-induced thrombocytopenia in malignant glioma patients. We prospectively included 52 malignant glioma patients receiving TMZ-containing therapy regimens in this study. Platelet counts and IPF were determined at each clinical follow-up visit (weekly during concomitant radiochemotherapy or at least monthly during TMZ monotherapy) using the Sysmex XE-2100 system. We explored the diagnostic utility of PLT change/day and IPF change/day from the last to the current follow-up visit for the prediction of clinically relevant thrombocytopenia (PLT < 100·000 μl(-1) ) at the next follow-up visit. Relevant thrombocytopenia was observed in 10 of 234 occasions. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for PLT absolute change/day, PLT relative change/day and IPF relative change/day were 0·675, 0·703 and 0·663, respectively. The Youden indices (maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity minus one) were 0·31, 0·39, and 0·29, respectively. The corresponding positive predictive values were 16%, 57%, and 6·7%, and the negative predictive values were 97%, 97%, and 98%, respectively. The rather moderate diagnostic potential of our data indicate that the time course of PLT counts and IPF measured at routine clinical follow-up are not useful for the prediction of thrombocytopenia in glioma patients treated with TMZ.

Oral Candidiasis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

s of the 15th International Symposium on Infections in the Immunocompromised Host S17 Conclusions: The results demonstrate that, despite the generally naive CB lymphocytes, influenza HA-specific responses can be generated ex vivo and could be potentially be used to enhance immune reconstitution following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. 37 Harvest and Preparation Techniques of the Blood Stem Cells Dorel Vlad1, Carmen Calugaroiu1, Virginia Mirea1, Ramona Pasare1, Tatiana Puscariu2, Alexandra Dumitrescu2, Jeni Laura Vlad3, Simona Dima4, Irinel Popescu4. 1Transfusions and Medullar Graft Centre, 2Analysis Laboratory Central; 3Microbiology Department; 4General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Centre, Fundeni Clinical Institute Bucharest, Romania Background: The purpose of the study was to obtain a quality graft, which contained the minimum of 2.5x106/kg body stem cells CD34 viable and functional. Objectives: The principle was to base the separation of blood cells using the difference between density gradients. We compared the harvests on patients with: Hodgkin disease, multiple myloma, neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, malignant non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and acute leukemia. Material and Methods: The study was undertaken between 2000 till November 2007 on 116 patients (97 patients and 19 donators) in the Medullar Graft and Transfusions Centre, collaborating with another department from Fundeni Clinical Institute. The total numbers of procedures was 188 (159 patients and 29 donators). The harvest of peripheral blood stem cells were made by: medullar aspiring puncture, citaferesys procedure, and/or umbilical vein puncture, after expelling the afterbirth from uterus. We used devices such as: Haemonetics MCS Plus and Cobe Spectra, and for harvests made for liver and pancreatic transplantation the Clinimacs Plus device system. Results: In the case of harvests for patients with hematological problems, we obtained 42 grafts CD34 5x106/KgC. For patients with diabetes, we obtained 2 grafts CD34 >5x106/KgC. For patients with liver problems we obtained 4 grafts CD34 500/mL on three consecutive measurements. Time to platelet engraftment (PLT_20) was defined as the number of days from stem cell infusion to date of maintaining platelet count (PLT) >20,000/mL for 3 consecutive measurements without any platelet transfusion for at least 7 days from the date of last PLT transfusion. Statistical analysis was done using Fisher' s exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: Thirty-five cases were compared to 35 controls. Demographics and transplant characteristics were similar between cases and controls. The median duration of treatment was 13 days for linezolid (range 5-28) and 18 days for vancomycin (6-43). The cumulative percentage of patients achieving ANC_500 and PLT_20 at each time point examined was similar for the two treatments groups. The p-values from the competing risk analysis were not significant (P=NS). The competing regression model confirmed this conclusion after adjustment for factors know to affect engraftment. WBC, ANC and PLT counts at 30 days after discontinuing treatment were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Early linezolid administration did not have a negative impact on time to neutrophil or platelet engraftment post HSCT. Compared to controls cases had similar values of WBD, ANC and PLT 30 days after discontinuing treatment. A larger study is needed to validate our findings and assess the hematologic safety profile of linezolid in the period of greatest marrow vulnerability. 39 High Incidence of Human Herpesvirus 6 Reactivation in Adult Recipients of Double Cord Blood Transplants Vicky Kyriazi1, Eirini Grispou2, Aikaterini Manaka1, ConstantineGeorge Balotis1, Zoe Poulopoulou1, Eirini Bika1, Ioannis Baltadakis1, Dimitri Karakasis1, Mary Anagnostopoulou2, Ioannis Apostolidis1, Nicholas Harhalakis1, Olga Paniara2, Emmanuel NIikiforakis1. 1BMT Unit Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens Greece; 2Microbiology Laboratory, Evaggelismos Hospital, Athens Greece Introduction: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation may have significant consequences in cord blood transplant recipients (CBR). This study evaluates the incidence of HHV-6 reactivation, its manifestations and treatment in CBR at our center.

Does prematurity affect thrombocytopoiesis?

Data concerning thrombocytopoiesis in newborns are poorly recognized. Platelets have a crucial role in hemostatic physiology, which is deficient in newborns, especially in preterm newborns. A total of 51 preterm newborns (PTN), 25 girls and 26 boys, were recruited for the study. The control group consisted of 25 female and 30 male healthy term newborns (HTN). Plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) was measured using Quantikine human TPO system. Reticulated platelets (PLRET) was estimated by means of Retic-Count Kit. Platelet count (PLT) was determined using AdviaTU 120 Hematology System. TPO was evidently higher in PTN (110.9 pg/ml) than in HTN (71.5 pg/ml), (p < 0.001). The percentage of reticulated platelets (PLRET) was also twice as high in PTN (3.49%) in comparison to HTN (1.7%), (p < 0.001). The PLT count was lower in PTN (246.7 × 103 µL) than in HTN (287.2 × 103 µL), (p < 0.01). Increased TPO levels and the percentage of PLRET indicate that thrombocytopoiesis is more active in prematurity. Our finding may be useful in therapeutic strategies.

Ethnic and Serologic Differences Predict Clinical Behavior and Response in Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

In this study we studied the impact of race and serologic markers in clinical behavior and response in ITP patients as defined by ASH definition.Methods: Clinical data extracted from presentation included age, sex, platelet count (PLT). All patients were negative for hepatitis B, C and HIV and patients with malignancy were excluded. Records complete with serologic markers such as ANA, anticardiolipin antibody (ACA), lupus anticoagulant (LA), cryoglobulins (CRG) were included. From 1998–2004 this yielded 160 patients; 142 of these were from US center and 18 from the Singaporean center. Information about anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), any thrombotic episode, concurrent development of lymphomas and response to therapy was extracted from clinical records.Results: Of the 160 patients 94 were non-Asian and 66 were Asian patients. Median age of Asian and non Asian patients was similar (38.1 Vs 39.2y). However Asians had higher female representation (92.4 vs. 70.2%, p=0.001). Presenting mean PLT count was higher in Asians (30.4X109/L vs. 24.2 x109/L), and were less likely to have PLT less than 10x109/L (24% vs. 35%; p=0.09). There were no differences in life threatening bleeding or need for transfusion or admission. Presentation and response differences with ethnicity are depicted in Table 1. Presence of any autoimmune marker was higher in Asians (70%vs. 32%; p<0.05), ANA > 1:80, (44%vs. 28%;p<0.05) and positive cryoglobulins (15% vs. 2%, P<0.05). Presence of LA, ACA or the APS did not differ with race yet more vascular thrombosis were seen in Asians (5 vs. 1, p <0.05). Thrombosis occurred more often in presence of LA (4/14 vs. 2/146), ACA (4/23 vs. 2/137) and APS (4/23 vs. 2/137), all p<0.01. Five patients developed B-cell lymphomas, this occurred more often in patients with auto-antibodies (5/76 Vs 0/84, p=0.02). There was no difference in response to steroid treatment by race, but the presence of APS, ANA > 1:80 and LA were poor predictors of response to steroids. An inverse correlation was significant at the level 0.05 (2-tailed), with correlation coefficients being −0.197, −0.346, −0.247.Conclusions: Racial differences occur in ITP with Asian patients having higher female preponderance, milder disease, and more auto-antibodies. Presence of such antibodies may also relate to development of B-cell NHL. ACA, APS and LA are not only predictors of thrombotic risk in ITP patients, but also predict poor response to steroid therapy.Table 1:Race wise serologic and clinical differencesParameterNON-ASIANASIANp-valuen9466Median age (range)39.2 (18–67)38.1 (19–62)NSFemale (%)66 (70.2%)61 (92.4%)0.001Median platelet count24.230.4NSPlt below 10K at presentation33 (35%)16 (24%)0.09Any +ve autoimmune marker30 (31.9%)46 (69.7%)<0.001Antiphospholipid syndrome1112NSEvans syndrome69NSANA (>1:80)2629<0.05ACA1013NSCryoglobulin2100.003Lupus Anticoagulant77NSAntithyroid antibodies25NSDevelopment of NHL14NSthrombotic disorder15<0.05Response to steroids59 (62.8%)47 (71.2)NSNS-not significant. Chi square test performed

Reference Intervals and Age‐related Changes for Platelet Count, Mean Platelet Volume and Plateletcrit in Healthy Pre‐weaning Piglets in Italy

Platelet count (PLT) mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT) were determined for 117 Landrace x Large White piglets aged 3-21 days; counts were performed with an automated blood cell counter (ABX Pentra 120). Reference values were estimated following the guidelines of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) and the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH). The calculated central 95% reference limits for PLT was 49.9-516.2 x 10(9)/1, for MPV 6.71-9.91 fl and for PCT 0.009-0.395%. When observations are divided into three age groups (about 1 week each) there is an increase in mean PLT count and PCT in 2-week piglets, and a decrease in MPV from the first to the third week of life. These reference values provide guidelines for interpreting for experimental and clinical observations, as well as for monitoring of the health status of similar aged piglets determined using automated impedance-light focusing methodology.