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Biomedical subjects

B J Bain

Publications and source records attributed to B J Bain.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The bone marrow aspirate of healthy subjects.

Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from the right or left posterior superior iliac spine of 50 healthy volunteers, 30 men and 20 women. Reference ranges were derived for each cell type and for the myeloid:erythroid (M:E) ratio. The M:E ratio and the percentage of neutrophils were significantly higher in the women and the erythroid component significantly lower. All 28 evaluable men and 11/17 evaluable women had storage iron present in more than trace amounts. The percentage of erythroblasts with detectable iron granules varied very widely, from 3% to 69% in those with more than a trace of storage iron. Minor dyserythropoietic features were present in a high percentage of subjects and 19/50 subjects had one or two dysplastic megakaryocytes. Granulocytic dysplasia was not detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Basophil counts on the technicon H*1 automated counter.

The precision, accuracy, stability and clinical usefulness of the basophil count of a Technicon H*1 automated blood cell counter were assessed and a reference range for the absolute basophil count was derived. As expected, the precision was considerably better than that of a manual count but it was worse than would have been expected if the only inaccuracy were the random error consequent on the number of cells counted. Accuracy was sufficient for the count to be of some clinical use but an elevated 'basophil' count was more often consequent on 'pseudo-basophilia' than on true basophilia. As a consequence it is necessary to confirm elevated counts by microscopic examination of a blood film whenever the presence of an elevated count is diagnostically important. The basophil count was stable for up to 3 days, both at room temperature and at 4 degrees C. The reference range was 0.02-0.09 x 10(9)/I. An elevated 'basophil' count serves to alert the instrument operator to the presence of an abnormal blood sample. Since the technology used to count basophils is the same in H*1, H*2 and H*3 instruments, our results can be generalized to other instruments in the series.

Basophils↗
PubMed1996

Ethnic and sex differences in the total and differential white cell count and platelet count.

AIM/BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that healthy subjects of African ancestry have lower total white cell counts, neutrophil counts and platelet counts than Caucasian subjects and that, at least among Caucasians, women have higher neutrophil and platelet counts than men. The primary aim of this study was to confirm and quantify the ethnic differences, confirm the sex difference in Caucasians and determine whether there was a similar sex difference in non-Caucasians. A secondary aim was to establish reference ranges for white cell and platelet counts for the different ethnic and sex groups. METHODS: The study population comprised 417 healthy volunteers (201 women and 216 men), of whom 200 were Caucasian, 102 were Afrocaribbean and 115 were African. Full blood counts, including a differential white cell count, were measured using a H.2 automated differential counter. White cell and platelet counts were compared between the three different ethnic groups and between men and women. Reference ranges were determined for each ethnic and sex group. RESULTS: Africans and Afrocaribbeans had lower total white cell, neutrophil and platelet counts than Caucasians and counts were lower in Africans than in Afrocaribbeans. Women had higher neutrophil and platelet counts than men in all ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and ethnic origin should be taken into consideration when assessing white cell and platelet counts.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Pseudopyropoikilocytosis: a striking artefact.

The blood films both of patients with hereditary pyropoikilocytosis and of those with severe thermal burns are characterised by budding erythrocytes and the presence of microspherocytes. Recently, a fourth example of similar morphological features, caused by overheating of a blood specimen in a motor vehicle during transport to the laboratory, has been observed. It is important to be aware of this artefact as failure to recognise it is likely to lead to diagnostic confusion and unnecessary further testing, causing inconvenience to the patient.

Diagnostic Tests, Routine↗
PubMed1996

Eosinophilic leukaemias and the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Hypereosinophilic syndromes may result either from eosinophilic differentiation of a clone of neoplastic cells or from reactive eosinophilia. In other patients HES is idiopathic. It appears likely that in many patients the "idiopathic' hypereosinophilic syndrome is actually a chronic myeloproliferative disorder. Those cases showing an increase of blast cells or a demonstrable clonal cytogenetic abnormality should be classified as eosinophilic leukaemia. In other cases the neoplastic nature of the disease can be recognized only in retrospect when a granulocytic sarcoma or AMI, develops. A few cases of idiopathic HES are consequent on cytokine secretion whereas others remain idiopathic at the time of death. When eosinophilia occurs as a feature of an acute or chronic myeloid leukaemia or a chronic myeloproliferative disorder the eosinophils are usually part of the leukaemic clone. However, eosinophilia in association with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is usually reactive. Rare cases have a biphenotypic leukaemia/lymphoma with both eosinophils and lymphoid cells arising from a mutant pluripotent stem cell.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Endometrial extramedullary haemopoiesis.

Four cases of endometrial extramedullary haemopoiesis are reported, all with associated haematological disease. The diagnoses of a myeloproliferative disorder and thalassaemia trait were made as a consequence of the histological observations and subsequent haematological investigations in two cases. The third case occurred in a patient with an established diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia. The diagnosis of extramedullary haemopoiesis in the final case was made on autopsy material from a patient with multiple myeloma. The endometrium from five other women with known myelofibrosis was examined but extramedullary haemopoiesis was not found. Endometrium from 32 fetuses did not contain haemopoietic elements, excluding the likelihood of the endometrium being a common site for extramedullary haemopoiesis in development. Endometrial extramedullary haemopoiesis is an uncommon finding, but it is worthy of note, as it may herald the presence of an underlying haematological abnormality.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Routine and specialised techniques in the diagnosis of haematological neoplasms.

The relative importance of traditional techniques used in the diagnosis of haematological neoplasms has altered during the past decade. Cytology and histology retain their central role but the importance of cytochemistry has declined, except in the diagnosis of AML. Immunophenotyping is of major importance in the diagnosis of ALL, some categories of AML and the LPDs. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis are important in the diagnosis of CML and are becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis of chronic LPDs and other haematological neoplasms. Diagnostic haematology laboratories which are not specialist leukaemia centres should have ready access to all of these techniques to ensure optimal patient management. However, not all techniques need to be performed in every laboratory.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Acquired angioedema as the presenting feature of lymphoproliferative disorders of mature B-lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Acquired complement component 1 (C1) inhibitor deficiency with consequent angioedema is a rare condition that may indicate an underlying neoplasm of B-lymphocytes or plasma cells. METHODS: Three patients with C1 inhibitor deficiency and late-onset angioedema were studied to establish the presence and to characterize the nature of any underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. RESULTS: Each of the patients was found to have a low-grade B-lineage lymphoma. In one patient, the underlying disorder, best characterized as splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes, was occult initially. The other two patients had splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and small lymphocytic lymphoma, respectively. Two of the patients had an immunoglobulin M (IgM) serum paraprotein with cold agglutinin activity; the third patient had no paraprotein, but his cells expressed monoclonal membrane IgM. Two of the patients initially did not require specific anti-lymphoma therapy and responded to therapy with an attenuated androgen; in the third patient, splenectomy and cytotoxic chemotherapy led to resolution of the acquired angioedema. In all three patient, there was considerable delay in diagnosis consequent to lack of awareness of this syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a neoplasm of B-lymphocytes was established eventually in all three patients, although in one patient it was occult initially. In each case, the lymphocytes were mature B-lymphocytes that either showed cytologic evidence of plasma cell differentiation or secreted a paraprotein. Underlying lymphoma is common in patients who are seen initially with late-onset angioedema. Angioedema is an important, potentially life-threatening complication of lymphoma. Optimal patient management requires that both angioedema and the underlying lymphoma are recognized.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Blood film features of sickle cell-haemoglobin C disease.

The blood films of patients with sickle cell-haemoglobin C disease (SC) were compared with those of patients with related haemoglobinopathies in order to establish the most characteristic features. The blood films from SC patients generally permitted the distinction from sickle cell anaemia (SS) but not necessarily from haemoglobin C disease (CC) or C/beta thalassaemia. About half of the SC films showed characteristic SC poikilocytes and a minority also had some cells containing haemoglobin C crystals. In addition, SC differed from SS in having fewer classical sickle cells and nucleated red cells, more irregularly-contracted cells and less polychromasia and evidence of hyposplenism.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Hypochromic macrocytes: are they reticulocytes?

Automated full blood counters measuring the size and haemoglobin concentration of individual red cells by high and low angle light scatter can provide estimates of the percentage of cells which are abnormal in either or both of these variables. The hypothesis that an increase in the number of large cells with a reduced haemoglobin content ("hypochromic macrocytes") was indicative of a reticulocytosis was investigated. A correlation was shown between the percentage of hypochromic macrocytes and the reticulocyte count. This correlation was too weak to allow the actual reticulocyte percentage to be predicted from the percentage of hypochromic macrocytes. An increased percentage of hypochromic macrocytes, however, often indicates an increased reticulocyte count and thus serves to chart the haematologist to this possibility.

Erythrocyte Count↗
PubMed1992

Carbamazepine and folic acid in trigeminal neuralgia patients.

The effect of carbamazepine monotherapy on the red cell folate level of 133 patients with trigeminal neuralgia was evaluated. The patient group had a significantly lower mean value of red cell folate levels compared with 110 controls. No significant correlation was found between the red cell folate levels and the mean cell volume or haemoglobin values in either the carbamazepine or control group. In addition no significant correlation was found between the red cell folate levels and drug dosage. Administration of folic acid supplements raised the mean value of red cell folate significantly. Dietary folate intake was assessed in 43 trigeminal neuralgia patients and 33 matched control patients and there was no significant difference between the groups. Patients taking carbamazepine should be advised on a well-balanced diet rich in folate as opposed to being given a routine prescription of folic acid.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Acute changes in haematological parameters on cessation of smoking.

Cigarette smoking is known to affect many haematological parameters but little is known of their rate of return to normal on withdrawal of cigarettes. Two groups of chronic smokers were studied whilst smoking and in the 2 weeks after cessation. A rapid return towards normal was found in the elevated haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red cell count, white cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and platelet count, indicating that at least some of the abnormalities in these parameters are an acute, reversible effect of cigarette smoking rather than being a response to tissue damage.

Adult↗