OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive role of the modified Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (mEASIX) in the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). METHODS: The clinical data of 70 relapsed and refractory (R/R) B-cell tumor patients who were treated with CAR-T therapy from September 1, 2018 to February 28, 2023 in the Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. The value of log-2 mEASIX before conditioning (-7 d) was calculated, and the patients were divided into a low-mEASIX group (42 patients) and a high-mEASIX group (28 patients) based on the cut-off value of 5.443 determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Eventually, the predictive role of mEASIX before conditioning on the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy and CRS was analyzed. RESULTS: The high-mEASIX group exhibited significantly worse median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) in comparison to the low mEASIX group (OS: 3.2 months vs not reached, P < 0.01; PFS: 1.3 months vs 6.0 months, P =0.009). The incidence of grade ≥2 CRS in the high-mEASIX group was substantially higher than that in the low-mEASIX group (57.1% vs 19.0%, P =0.007). The degree of remission after CAR-T therapy (P =0.001), whether CRS occurs or not (P =0.041), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level before conditioning (P =0.046), and the mEASIX score before conditioning (P =0.047) were independent influencing factors for the OS of patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy. CONCLUSION The mEASIX score before conditioning can predict OS and the incidence of grade ≥2 CRS in patients with relapsed and refractory B-cell tumors who receive CAR-T cell therapy.
Cytokine Release Syndrome/therapy* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods* ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hematology ; China ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/blood* ; Predictive Value of Tests

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria isolated from patients in hematology department, in order to provide evidence for rational use of antibiotics in clinic. METHODS: The distribution of pathogenic bacteria and drug sensitivity data of patients in the hematology department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2015 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the pathogens isolated from different specimen types were compared. RESULTS: A total of 2 029 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 1 501 patients in the hematology department from 2015 to 2020, and 62.2% of which were Gram-negative bacilli, mainly Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Acinetobacter baumannii. Gram-positive coccus accounted for 18.8%, mainly Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus. Fungi (17.4%) were mainly candida. The 2 029 strains were mainly isolated from respiratory tract (35.1%), blood (31.8%) and urine (19.2%) specimens. Gram-negative bacilli were the main pathogenic bacteria in different specimen types (>60%). K. pneumoniae, S. maltophilia and A. baumannii were the most common pathogens in respiratory specimens, E. coli, CoNS, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were common in blood samples, and E. coli and Enterococcus were most common in urine samples. Enterobacteriaceae had the highest susceptibility to amikacin and carbapenems (>90.0%), followed by piperacillin/tazobactam. P. aeruginosa strains had high sensitivity to antibiotics except aztreonam (<50.0%). The susceptibility of A. baumannii to multiple antibiotics was less than 70.0%. The antimicrobial resistance rates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in respiratory tract specimens were higher than those in blood specimens and urine specimens. CONCLUSION Gram-negative bacilli are the main pathogenic bacteria isolated from patients in hematology department. The distribution of pathogens is different in different types of specimens, and the sensitivity of each strain to antibiotics is different. The rational use of antibiotics should be based on different parts of infection to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance.
Humans ; Escherichia coli ; Retrospective Studies ; Bacteria ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Drug Resistance ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Hematology

INTRODUCTION: Complete blood count (CBC) and cell population data (CPD) are hematologic parameters used in several clinical scenarios including infection and neoplastic processes. In the setting of COVID-19 infection, there is relative paucity of data in their use as possible prognostic markers. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the utility of the baseline CBC and CPD as prognostic markers for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients admitted in Philippine General Hospital from March 2020 to January 2022. METHODOLOGY: This is a case-control study. Expired patients served as cases, and recovered patients served as controls. Data from eligible patients including age, sex, admitting COVID diagnosis with severity, final disposition, baseline CBC and CPD results were collected from the hospital medical records and hematology section of the Department of Laboratories. Statistical analyses were done to determine the prognostic value of these parameters for in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among the different CBC and CPD parameters, the study shows total white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute eosinophil count (AEC), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were statistically significant predictors for in-hospital mortality. For total WBC count, at a cut off 9.9 x 10 9 /L, the sensitivity and specificity is 70.9% and 66.2%, respectively. For ANC, at a cut off of 7.3 x 10 9 /L, the specificity is 76.4% and the specificity is 68.2%. At a cut off of 7.62, the NLR shows a sensitivity of 76.4% and specificity of 70.1%. For AEC, at a cut off of 0.006 x 10 9 /L, the sensitivity is 53.3% and the specificity is 87.3%. AEC predicts towards the direction of survival rather than to the direction of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION The total WBC count, ANC, and NLR were statistically significant predictors for in-hospital mortality, while AEC predicts towards the direction of survival. The sensitivities and specificities of the cut off for these parameters were less than ideal. Correlation with clinical and other laboratory parameters is still recommended. For future studies, the authors recommend monitoring CBC and CPD parameters at different time points during the patients’ hospital course.
COVID-19 ; hematology ; blood cell count ; complete blood count ; prognosis

INTRODUCTION: Among patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the karyotype at diagnosis is an important prognostic indicator for predicting outcomes. Several studies have been done to identify the most common cytogenetic abnormalities seen in patients in other countries, however, limited studies have been done in our setting. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the most common abnormalities present among patients with AML referred for Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. METHODOLOGY: The study included 131 adult patients with a mean age o 46. Fluorescence in situ Hybridization was used to identify the following cytogenetic abnormalities: t(8;21), 11q23 (MLL), 16q22 (CBFB-MYH11), t(15;17) (PML/RARA), t(9;22) (BCR/ABL), 7q31 deletion, and Monosomy 7. RESULTS: FISH was negative in 40% (n=53) of patients. 7q31 deletion is the most frequently identified cytogenetic abnormality among patients with a single abnormality (n=17, 13%) present and is the most frequently identified abnormality among patients with multiple abnormalities (n=26). 7q31 deletion is more frequently observed among patients between the ages 51 to 60 years old and among patients with AML with monocytic differentiation. 22% (n=29) of patients have multiple abnormalities, with the most common abnormalities to occur together are 7q31 deletion and t(8;21) (n=20, 15%). Patients with negative results and patients with multiple cytogenetic abnormalities are commonly seen within the 41 to 50 age group. CONCLUSION The current study provides a single-institution view of the cytogenetic abnormalities among adult Filipino patients with AML using FISH. Further investigation on the clinical history of these patients, with correlation with other methods, as well as epidemiologic studies are needed to better understand the similarities and differences seen from previously reported incidences.
acute myeloid leukemia ; fluorescence in situ hybridization ; cytogenetics ; profiling ; hematology ; Filipino

Hematology revised laboratory testing guidelines in order that hematologic neoplasms could be diagnosed according to the revised 4th edition of WHO classification of tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. The new guidelines were revised based on an extensive review of international guidelines that included the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines, and European LeukemiaNet recommendations that are based on the revised WHO classification. We expect that the newly revised guidelines will improve clinical decisions, standardize laboratory tests, and enhance the development of new molecular technologies that are integrated into diagnostic algorithms via ongoing consensus initiatives.]]>
Classification ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Hematology ; Lymphoid Tissue

Anemia ; Blood Platelets ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Erythrocytes ; Ferritins ; Hematology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver Diseases ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Oxidative Stress ; Pilot Projects ; Public Health ; Quercetin

The National Blood Center, Kuala Lumpur interprets laboratory results for the von Willebrand factor (VWF) profile based on guidelines which were established based on the Caucasian population. The VWF profiles among the Malay population has not yet been established. The current study aims to determine the VWF profiles of the different ABO blood types among Malays and to evaluate their association with demographic characteristics and smoking habits. Methods: One hundred and forty Malay donors were involved. Factor VIII (FVIII:C), VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), and ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RiCof) levels and collagen binding activity (VWF:CBA) were measured by coagulometric clot detection, latex agglutination, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The majority of donors (59.3%) were 30–49 years old, male (81.43%), non-smokers (74.3%), and overweight (71.4%). The Malay VWF:Ag were slightly higher than those of Caucasians, Indians, Thais, and Chinese, but the average ratios of VWF activity (i.e., VWF:RiCof level and VWF:CBA) to VWF:Ag were slightly lower than those of the other populations. The highest level of VWF:Ag was found among those with the B blood group, followed by types A and O. Conclusion: Malays with type O blood had lower values of the components of the VWF profile compared to subjects with non-O blood. The higher levels of these elements and lower VWF activity to VWF:Ag ratio in Malays compared to other populations suggest that ethnicity impacts the plasma VWF levels and their interaction with collagen and platelets.
Medical Transfusion Unit, Pathology Department, Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. 2 National Blood Center, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3 Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to analyze the dental consultation of pediatric inpatients to the department of pediatric dentistry in Yonsei University Severance Hospital, and to investigate the change in patterns. In 2017, 268 pediatric patients (384 cases) admitted to the Severance Hospital were referred to the department of pediatric dentistry. The mean age was 6.6 years, and most of the patients were referred from the Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Rehabilitation Medicine. The chief complaints were as follows: oral examination (31%), dental caries (20%), oral pain (10%), tooth mobility (10%), pre-operative evaluation (9%) and others (20%). 41% of the patients received only oral examination without treatment. Dental caries were the most frequent dental diagnosis of the patients. 28% (111 cases) of patients received operative treatments, 22 cases were treated under general anesthesia. Oral health is closely related to systemic diseases, especially for hospitalized patients. Dental consultations should be encouraged for prevention and early appropriate treatments. For this purpose, it is necessary to establish a referral system and perform dental treatment under general anesthesia.
Anesthesia, General ; Dental Caries ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Hematology ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Oral Health ; Pediatric Dentistry ; Referral and Consultation ; Rehabilitation ; Tooth Mobility

Incidentally, hemoglobin (Hb) variants can be detected using HbA1c tests in clinical laboratories. We found 38 patients with Hb variants after reviewing a total of 29,398 HbA1c test results from January 2017 to December 2017. While reviewing the complete blood count results of the patients (N=36) using the Sysmex XN-9000 analyzer (Sysmex, Japan), 35 patients were flagged as unremarkable with respect to differential white blood cell (WBC) counts. However, 1 patient with a normal WBC count did not obtain a differential WBC count while being flagged for an abnormal WBC scattergram in the white blood cell differential (WDF) channel. The WBC histogram showed an abnormally low fluorescent signal in the WDF channel; however, the differential WBC count was normal upon microscopic examination. After testing the patient's buffy coat suspended in normal saline and removing red blood cells (RBCs), the WBC scattergram and differential WBC count returned to normal. This finding suggests that the presence of a patient's RBCs may affect WBC scattergrams and Hb variants may interfere with the fluorescent dye in the differential WBC count. Therefore, when an abnormal WBC scattergram with an abnormally low fluorescent signal is encountered on the Sysmex XN-9000 analyzer, the presence of an Hb variant can be suspected.
Blood Cell Count ; Erythrocytes ; Hematology ; Humans ; Leukocytes

BACKGROUND: Here we investigated the clinical utilities of blast suspect, large unstained cell (LUC), delta neutrophil index ll (DN ll), and delta neutrophil index l (DN l), analyzed in peripheral blood samples with automated hematology analyzers to predict the relapse of acute leukemia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 112 patients, including 56 patients with acute leukemia relapse and 56 controls. Blast suspect, LUC, DN ll, and DN l were compared between the control and leukemia relapse groups. RESULTS: Significant differences in blast suspect (P<0.001), LUC (P<0.001), DN ll (P<0.001), and DN l (P=0.002) were observed between the leukemia relapse and control groups. The areas under the curve (AUC) value was 0.927 for blast suspect (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8750.978, P<0.001), 0.868 for LUC (95% CI: 0.794–0.941, P<0.001), and 0.900 for DN ll (95% CI: 0.841–0.960, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis for the prediction of leukemia relapse revealed odds ratio values of 1.52 (95% CI: 1.26–1.96, P=0.0002) for blast suspect, 1.66 (95% CI: 1.27–2.42, P=0.0019) for LUC, 1.16 (95% CI: 1.08–1.29, P=0.0014) for DN ll, and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01–1.13, P=0.0845) for DN l. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple parameters provided by automated blood cell analyzers may serve as powerful ancillary tools for the prediction and diagnosis of leukemia relapse.
Blood Cells ; Diagnosis ; Hematology ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Neutrophils ; Odds Ratio ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies