Journal Detail Information

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Biphenotypic, Acute ; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance ; Multiple Myeloma ; Paraproteinemias ; Thrombocythemia, Essential

4

Cite

Share

BK virus encephalitis without concurrent hemorrhagic cystitis in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient.

Suk Young LEE ; Se Ryeon LEE ; Dae Sik KIM ; Chul Won CHOI ; Byung Soo KIM ; Yong PARK

Blood Research.2013;48(3):226-228. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.226

No abstract available.
BK Virus ; Cystitis ; Encephalitis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Transplants

5

Cite

Share

A case of myelodysplastic syndrome with marked eosinophilia showing favorable prognosis.

Min Ji KIM ; Sung Hwa BAE ; A Jin LEE ; Sang Gyung KIM

Blood Research.2013;48(3):222-225. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.222

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with eosinophilia is a rare condition and has yet to be classified under the 2008 World Health Organization classification. However, reports have described the prognostic significance of chronic persistent eosinophilia in MDS. Here, we report a case of a 67-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital in July 2007 with generalized weakness, dizziness, and dyspnea on exertion persisting for 5 years. In the initial investigation, eosinophilia (22.1%) in peripheral blood and an increased proportion of eosinophils (5.6%) in normocellular bone marrow with dysplastic megakaryocytes and erythroid cells were noted. Eosinophilia was continuously detected during follow-up over 3 years. In a second bone marrow examination in August 2010, hypercellular bone marrow with similar features was observed. These findings led to the diagnosis of MDS with chronic persistent eosinophilia. To increase awareness of the prognostic significance of MDS with chronic eosinophilia, here we report a slow-progressing case of MDS with chronic persistent eosinophilia lasting over 6 years.
Aged ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Erythroid Cells ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Prognosis ; World Health Organization

6

Cite

Share

Unexpected red cell antibody detection by conditional combination of LISS/Coombs and NaCl/Enzyme gel tests at a tertiary care hospital in Korea: A 5-year study.

Jeong Won SHIN

Blood Research.2013;48(3):217-221. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.217

BACKGROUND: A combination of the LISS/Coombs and enzyme methods is recommended for identifying unexpected antibodies. However, many laboratories in which tests are to be performed within the limits of medical fees covered by insurance, use only the LISS/Coombs method because the permissible medical fee is low as compared to the price of reagents required for both methods. The NaCl/Enzyme gel is used as a secondary assay when the LISS/Coombs gel test yields inconclusive results. We compared the frequency of unexpected antibody identified by LISS/Coombs gel with that obtained by the conditional combination of LISS/Coombs and NaCl/Enzyme gels. We aimed at establishing evidence-based guidelines for antibody testing. METHODS: From June 2007 to June 2012, antibody screening was performed for 69,986 samples; subsequently, antibodies were identified in samples showing positive screening results. These initial screenings and identifications were performed using the LISS/Coombs gel. We considered the results "inconclusive" when specific antibodies were not identified or reactions were too weak for accurate interpretation. For the inconclusive samples, we subsequently used NaCl/Enzyme gels. RESULTS: The overall detection rate of unexpected antibodies was 1.23%. Among the samples analyzed using NaCl/Enzyme gels, 40.2% showed results different from those obtained using LISS/Coombs gels. Moreover, 41.9% of samples with nonspecific reactions in LISS/Coombs gels showed clinically significant Rh or Kidd antibodies with NaCl/Enzyme gels. CONCLUSION: Considering both patient safety and cost effectiveness, we recommend the use of conditional combination of LISS/Coombs and NaCl/Enzyme gels for antibody detection, especially in laboratories that must perform tests within an established budget.
Antibodies ; Budgets ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Fees, Medical ; Gels ; Indicators and Reagents ; Insurance ; Mass Screening ; Patient Safety ; Tertiary Healthcare

7

Cite

Share

Hereditary hemolytic anemia in Korea from 2007 to 2011: A study by the Korean Hereditary Hemolytic Anemia Working Party of the Korean Society of Hematology.

Eun Sil PARK ; Hye Lim JUNG ; Hee Jin KIM ; Sung Sup PARK ; Soon Hwan BAE ; Hee Young SHIN ; Sang Hoon SONG ; Kyung Nam KOH ; Chuhl Joo LYU ; Young Tak LIM ; Dong Kyun HAN ; Jeong Ok HAH

Blood Research.2013;48(3):211-216. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.211

BACKGROUND: The number of patients diagnosed with hereditary hemolytic anemia (HHA) has increased since the advent of novel diagnostic techniques that accurately identify this disorder. Here, we report data from a survey on the prevalence and characteristics of patients diagnosed with HHA in Korea from 2007 to 2011. METHODS: Information on patients diagnosed with HHA in Korea and their clinical and laboratory results were collected using a survey questionnaire. Globin gene and red blood cell (RBC) enzyme analyses were performed. In addition, we analyzed data collected by pediatricians. RESULTS: In total, 195 cases of HHA were identified. Etiologies identified for HHA were RBC membranopathies, hemoglobinopathies, and RBC enzymopathies, which accounted for 127 (64%), 39 (19.9%), and 26 (13.3%) cases, respectively. Of the 39 patients with hemoglobinopathies, 26 were confirmed by globin gene analysis, including 20 patients with beta-thalassemia minor, 5 patients with alpha-thalassemia minor, and 1 patient with unstable hemoglobin disease. CONCLUSION: The number of patients diagnosed with hemoglobinopathies and RBC enzymopathies has increased considerably since the previous survey on HHA in Korea, dated from 1997 to 2006. This is likely the result of improved diagnostic techniques. Nevertheless, there is still a need for more sensitive diagnostic tests utilizing flow cytometry and for better standardization of test results to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of RBC membranopathies in Korea. Additionally, more accurate assays for the identification of RBC enzymopathies are warranted.
alpha-Thalassemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital ; beta-Thalassemia ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Erythrocytes ; Flow Cytometry ; Globins ; Hematology ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Spherocytosis, Hereditary ; Thalassemia ; Surveys and Questionnaires

8

Cite

Share

Sequence variation data of F8 and F9 genes in functionally validated control individuals: implications on the molecular diagnosis of hemophilia.

Ja Young SEO ; Mi Ae JANG ; Hee Jung KIM ; Ki O LEE ; Sun Hee KIM ; Hee Jin KIM

Blood Research.2013;48(3):206-210. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.206

BACKGROUND: The F8 and F9 genes encode for coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and FIX, respectively, and mutations in these genes are the genetic basis of hemophilia A/B. To determine whether a sequence variation in F8/F9 is a disease-causing mutation, frequency data from a control population is needed. This study aimed to obtain data on sequence variation in F8/F9 in a set of functionally validated control chromosomes of Korean descent. METHODS: We re-sequenced F8 and F9 from DNA samples of 100 Korean male control individuals with normal PT, aPTT, and FVIII activity. PCR and direct sequencing analyses were performed using primer pairs to cover all coding regions and the flanking intronic sequences. RESULTS: Thirteen individuals (13%) were hemizygous for sequence variations in the coding region of F8. Six (6%) had c.3780C>G (p.Asp1260Glu), five (5%) had c.3864A>C (p.Ser1288=). One each individual (1%) had c.4794G>T (p.Glu1598Asp) and c.5069 A>G (p.Glu1690Gly). Asp1260Glu and Ser1288= were known SNPs (rs1800291 and rs1800292, respectively). Glu1598Asp was assigned as a missense mutation in public databases (HGMD and HAMSTeRS), and Glu1690Gly was a novel variation. Based on the normal FVIII activities in control individuals carrying these variations (109% and 148%, respectively), they were considered to be rare SNPs. No variation was observed in F9 of control individuals. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of control individuals carried sequence variations in F8, but not in F9. These results can be used as a reference dataset for molecular diagnosis of hemophilia A and B, particularly in Korea.
Clinical Coding ; DNA ; Factor VIII ; Hemophilia A ; Humans ; Introns ; Korea ; Lifting ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

9

Cite

Share

The impact of novel therapeutic agents before and after frontline autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.

Chang Ki MIN ; Sung Eun LEE ; Seung Ah YAHNG ; Byung Sik CHO ; Ki Seong EOM ; Yoo Jin KIM ; Hee Je KIM ; Seok LEE ; Seok Goo CHO ; Dong Wook KIM ; Jong Wook LEE ; Woo Sung MIN ; Chong Won PARK

Blood Research.2013;48(3):198-205. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.198

BACKGROUND: Novel agents (NAs) such as thalidomide and bortezomib have been administered in combination with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) to effectively treat multiple myeloma (MM). However, whether NAs perform better as induction treatments prior to transplantation, or as post-transplant maintenance therapies remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 106 consecutive patients with MM who underwent ASCT within 1 year of diagnosis as first-line therapy. RESULTS: Eighty-seven (82.1%) patients received NAs before ASCT, whereas 68 (64.2%) received NAs after ASCT. NAs were administered to each patient as follows: before ASCT alone (N=29, 27.4%), after ASCT alone (N=10, 9.4%) or both before and after ASCT (N=58, 54.7%). High-quality rates before and after ASCT were significantly higher for patients who received NAs as induction treatment compared to those who did not receive pre-transplant NAs. At a median follow-up of 37.9 months, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 42.8% and 70.2%, respectively. The PFS and OS were significantly higher in patients with NAs as post-transplant maintenance treatment (P=0.03 and P=0.04, respectively), but not in those with NAs as pre-transplant induction treatment. The PFS of patients with NAs before and after ASCT was higher than that of the patients with NAs as induction therapy alone (P=0.05). Age, serum beta2-microglobulin level, complete response after ASCT, and NA use post-ASCT independently predicted survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that integration of NAs post-ASCT could benefit patients with MM undergoing ASCT. Induction therapy using NAs also improves high-quality response rates before and after ASCT.
Boronic Acids ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Plant Extracts ; Pyrazines ; Retrospective Studies ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; Thalidomide ; Transplants ; Bortezomib

10

Cite

Share

Mean cell volumes of neutrophils and monocytes are promising markers of sepsis in elderly patients.

A Jin LEE ; Sang Gyung KIM

Blood Research.2013;48(3):193-197. doi:10.5045/br.2013.48.3.193

BACKGROUND: Sepsis in elderly patients is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic significance of volume conductivity scatter (VCS) parameters and to compare their reliability with that of inflammatory markers. METHODS: Patients (N=85) were divided into 3 groups according to their clinical history and culture results: control (N=29), localized infection (N=38), and sepsis (N=18). VCS parameters were obtained using a UniCel DxH 800 Coulter system. Cut-off values were established based on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The mean volumes of neutrophils (MNV) and monocytes (MMV) were higher in the sepsis group than in the localized infection and control groups (P=0.000 for both). The mean cell conductivity and low median angle light scatter of neutrophils were lower in the sepsis group than in the localized infection and control groups (P=0.029 and P=0.022, respectively). With a cut-off of 156.5, MNV had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 78% in predicting sepsis. CONCLUSION: MNV and MMV, which can be obtained easily using an automated blood analyzer, may be promising hematologic parameters for distinguishing elderly individuals with and without sepsis and may help clinicians in the diagnosis of sepsis.
Aged ; Calcitonin ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Humans ; Light ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Protein Precursors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis

DISPLAY OPTIONS

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share

Cite

Share