Leukemoid reaction due to Clostridium dificile infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: two case reports and a review of the literature

The clinical presentation of colitis associated with Clostridium difficile infection in immunosuppressed patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has not been completely characterized. Previous reports suggest that these patients present with low blood leukocyte counts, consistent with the impaired myelopoiesis that can occur with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In contrast, we describe the cases of two patients with colitis associated with C difficile infection who developed intense leukemoid reactions despite being in advanced stages of AIDS. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first described cases of leukemoid reaction associated with C difficile or other bacterial infection in AIDS patients. We review the literature on C difficile colitis in patients infected with HIV and suggest that severe C difficile infection should be considered in such patients presenting with leukemoid reaction and diarrhea.     

Acute promyelocytic leukemia: impact of hemorrhagic complications on response to induction chemotherapy and survival

From 1976 to 1989, 21 adult patients with previously untreated acute promyelocytic leukemia were seen at the University of Virginia Hospital. We reviewed their cases retrospectively to determine the impact of hemorrhagic complications and other factors on treatment outcome. We observed a complete remission rate of 35%; the median survival in complete responders was 15 months. Evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was found in 13 (62%) of the 21 cases at diagnosis. Fatal intracranial hemorrhage was the leading cause of death, occurring in eight (40%) of the 20 patients evaluated. Initial leukocyte count greater than 4.0 x 10(9)/L and platelet count less than 20 x 10(9)/L were significantly associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, the rate of intracranial hemorrhage was reduced by treatment with heparin. The high mortality of 40% (8/20) due to intracranial hemorrhage during induction was a major contributor to the low complete remission rate of 35% (7/20) in this series of consecutive unselected patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia.     

rhG-CSF对140例恶性肿瘤化放疗所致白细胞减少的临床疗效观察

为了观察rhG CSF对恶性肿瘤放化疗所致白细胞减少的疗效 ,对 14 0例恶性肿瘤放化疗所致粒细胞减少的患者用此国产rhG CSF(粒生素 )进行治疗。白细胞 <3.0× 10 9/L或中性粒细胞绝对计数 (ANC) <2 .0× 10 9/L时开始用粒生素 75 μg,皮下注射 ,每日 1次 ,待白细胞 >4 .0× 10 9/L或中性粒细胞绝对计数 >2 .5× 10 9/L时停药。结果表明 :粒生素能使放化疗所致粒细胞减少回升至正常范围 ,平均时间为 4 8天 ,有效率 96 .4 %。结论 :粒生素可以明显减轻放化疗过程中外周血白细胞下降程度 ,缩短白细胞恢复时间 ,且毒副反应轻、安全可靠 ,有利于放化疗的顺利进行。     

初发急性白血病初期化疗的疗效预测

急性白血病要获完全缓解 (CR)必须经过化疗后的骨髓增生抑制期。在此期间外周血白细计数必然急剧减少。为了观察急性白血病化疗后白细胞 (WBC)计数与化疗疗效之间的关系 ,对 80例初治急性白血病患者在诱导化疗第 1疗程后WBC计数与疗效关系进行了分析。根据化疗后白细胞数的最低值分为 3组 :≤ 0 .4× 10 9/L组 ;(0 .4 - 0 .9)× 10 9/L组 ;>0 .9× 10 9/L组。结果表明 :初治急性白血病化疗第 1疗程后 ,WBC计数≤ 0 .4× 10 9/L的急性白血病CR率 6 0 % ,总有效率 90 % ;WBC计数在 (0 .4 - 0 .9)× 10 9/L的急性白血病CR率 5 5 .6 % ,总有效率 92 .6 % ;WBC计数 >0 .9× 10 9/L的急性白血病CR率 2 7.3% ,总有效率 6 6 .7%。白细胞≤ 0 .4× 10 9/L组 ,(0 .4 - 0 .9)× 10 9/L组与 >0 .9× 10 9/L组第 1疗程化疗有效率有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。而白细胞≤ 0 .4× 10 9/L组与白细胞 (0 .4 - 0 .9)× 10 9/L组无明显差异。结论 :初发急性白血病第 1疗程化疗后白细胞计数可作为急性白血病化疗的一个预测指标。     

重组人白介素11治疗慢性特发性血小板减少性紫癜26例观察

慢性特发性血小板减少性紫癜（chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura，CITP）一般采用激素治疗，必要时还需给予免疫抑制剂治疗，为了解重组人白介素11（rhIL-11）对慢性特发性血小板减少性紫癜的疗效，本研究将26例血小板数〈60．00×10^9／L的CITP患者分为两组，对照组采用传统的激素与免疫抑制治疗，rhIL—11组在传统治疗的基础上给予rhIL—1125μg／（k·d），每日1次，皮下注射，14天为1个疗程，共治疗2个疗程，观察疗效。结果表明：23例CITP患者治疗后血小板减少情况均得到不同程度好转，只有3例治疗后血小板减少情况没有改善。对照组和rhIL—11组的血小板计数分别由治疗前的26．15×10^9／L和27．84×10^9／L增加为66．62×10^9／L和105．62×10^9／L，rhIL—11组治疗后血小板计数明显高于对照组（P〈0．05），临床出血症状减轻，在rhIL-11组中8例患者的血小板恢复正常（〉100×10^9／L），获得满意治疗效果。结论：rhIL-11联合传统的激素治疗对慢性ITP患者血小板减少有较好的治疗效果。     

维甲酸治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病中的高白细胞血症及治疗对策

为了解用全反式维甲酸（ATRA）治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病（APL）过程中高白细胞血症发生情况并探讨白细胞数的高低对ATRA治疗效果的影响，本研究根据患者外周血白细胞数量的多少，将其分为白细胞数〈30×10^9／L单用ATRA诱导治疗组、白细胞〉30×10^9／L单用ATRA治疗组及白细胞〉30×10^9／L用ATRA和化疗相结合治疗组，以观察疗效。结果表明：39例APL病人在用ATRA治疗过程中23例出现高白细胞血症，高白细胞血症发生率为58．97％。单用ATRA及ATRA＋化疗的总缓解率为91.3％。其中外周血白细胞数〈30×10^9／L而单用ATRA治疗组缓解率为100％，血白细胞数〉30×10^9／L而单用ATRA治疗组缓解率为87．5％，血白细胞数〉30×10^9／L而用ATRA＋化疗组的组缓解率为90．9％。结论：ATRA与化疗相结合，可有效控制ATRA治疗期间出现的高白细胞血症，降低早期病死率。     

The relationship between the absolute granulocyte count, platelet count and total leukocyte count in cancer chemotherapy patients.

A cohort of 383 patients with a variety of malignancies receiving various chemotherapy programs was analyzed to determine the relationship between the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) and the total leukocyte count (TLC). Specific groups, who were elderly, had proven bone marrow involvement, or were receiving significant doses of prednisone, were studied. The relationship between the TLC and thrombocytopenia was also examined. Results revealed that in all groups there was a correlation between the TLC and the AGC with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.88. Both life-threatening thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia were rare, providing and TLC was greater than 3.0 x 10(9)/L.     

Overnight refrigerator storage of autologous peripheral progenitor stem cells without cryopreservation.

We compared cryopreservation of peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products immediately and after overnight storage. There was no statistically significant difference in the groups regarding median [Formula: see text] cell count of the product, storage duration at -80 degrees C, viability rates, neutrophil and platelet engraftment days. Overnight storage of products with leukocyte count >300x10(9)/l has longer leukocyte (P=0.03) and platelet (P=0.01) engraftment days compared to other groups. Overnight storage without adding any medium or plasma for the apheresis product with leukocyte count of less than 300x10(9)/l in a commercially available refrigerator can easily and safely be used in transplantation centers.     

Severe falciparum malaria simulating fulminant hepatic failure

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical and laboratory features of patients with malarial hepatitis simulating fulminant hepatic failure (MHsFHF) and distinguish it from viral FHF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At a tertiary care unit in Bangalore, India, we compared clinical and laboratory characteristics of 25 patients with MHsFHF with those of 25 patients with viral FHF from November 1996 to January 2000. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were seen in duration of jaundice, altered consciousness, and the interval between onset of jaundice and altered consciousness between the 2 groups. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were present in 72% and 48% of patients with MHsFHF and in 12% and 0% of patients with viral FHF (P<.001), respectively. The MHsFHF group had a significantly lower hemoglobin level (9.3 g/dL vs 12.9 g/dL), total leukocyte count (9.1 x 10(9)/L vs 18 x 10(9)/L), platelet count (44.8 x 10(9)/L vs 218.6 x 10(9)/L), and transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, 86.2 U/L vs 1230.0 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase, 131.9 U/L vs 720.0 U/L) (P<.001). Thrombocytopenia and elevated serum urea nitrogen were universal in patients with MHsFHF. Prothrombin time was abnormal in all patients with viral FHF and in only 1 patient with MHsFHF. Of patients with MHsFHF, 24% died; of patients with viral FHF, 76% died (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: In endemic areas, severe malaria should be considered in the differential diagnosis of FHF. Hepatomegaly and normal prothrombin time in the setting of FHF are suggestive of malaria, and a peripheral blood smear should be obtained for diagnostic confirmation.     

幽门螺旋杆菌在特发性血小板减少性紫癜发病中临床意义研究

为了探讨特发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）患者幽门螺旋杆菌（HP）感染的发生率及糖皮质激素联合抗HP治疗ITP的疗效，100例HP阳性ITP患者随机分为联合治疗组（根除HP及糖皮质激素治疗，n=35）、单用糖皮质激素组（n=35）和单纯抗HP组（n=30），100名健康体检者作为对照组。。结果表明：ITP组HP感染率为70％，而对照组HP感染率为56％，2组差异有显著性（p〈0．05）。联合治疗组给予根除HP及糖皮质激素治疗后，31例HP得到根除，其中23例血小板水平恢复正常，8例较治疗前升高，血小板均数为（165±225）×10^9／L，与治疗前相比有统计学意义（p〈0．01），总有效率89％，1年内复发率8％。糖皮质激素组中有2例HP自然转阴，血小板水平恢复正常，其余33例HP仍然阳性的患者中23例血小板水平未恢复正常，10例恢复正常，血小板均数为（78±26）×10^9／L，总有效率68％，1年内复发率37％。单纯抗HP组中25例肿得到根除，其中9例血小板水平恢复正常，9例较治疗前升高，血小板均数为（135±174）×10^9／L，与治疗前相比有统计学意义（p〈0．01），总有效率60％，1年内总复发率为33％。结论：ITP患者有高HP感染率，根除HP是合并HP感染的ITP患者行之有效的治疗方法，并可作为一线治疗。     

Hematopoietic progenitor cell large volume leukapheresis (LVL) on the Fenwal Amicus blood separator

A technique for large volume leukapheresis (LVL) for hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) collection using the Fenwal Amicus is presented. It was compared to standard collections (STD) with regard to CD34+ cell yields and cross-cellular content. Optimal cycle volumes and machine settings were evaluated for LVL procedures. A total of 68 patients underwent 80 HPC collection procedures. Because of differences in CD34+ cell yields associated with peripheral white blood cell counts (WBC), the comparison was divided into groups of 20 with WBC < or =35 x 10(9)/L (< or =35 K) and those >35 x 10(9)/L (>35 K). Baseline CD34+ cell counts (peripheral count when patient started HPC collection) were used (median 18-23 cells/microl). Significantly more whole blood (corrected for anticoagulant) was processed with LVL (LVL 20 l vs. STD 13.5 l). For < or =35 K, median CD34+ x 10(6), WBC x 10(9), RBC ml, Plt x 10(11) yields/collection were 183, 21.2, 14, 0.8, respectively, for STD vs. 307, 22.1, 11, 1.0, respectively, for LVL. For >35 K, median CD34+ x 10(6), WBC x 10(9), RBC ml, Plt x 10(11) yields/collection were 189, 32.7, 15, 1.4, respectively, for STD vs. 69, 40.8, 21, 1.3, respectively, for LVL. We have described a method of LVL using the Amicus that, in patients with pre-procedure WBC < or =35 x 10(9)/L, collects more CD34+ cells than a standard procedure with acceptable cross-cellular content. This method is not recommended when pre-procedure WBC counts are >35 x 10(9)/L.     

重组人白细胞介素11治疗急性白血病化疗后血小板减少的疗效和机制研究

目的观察重组人白细胞介素11(rhIL-11)治疗急性白血病(AL)患者化疗后血小板减少的疗效、安全性及其可能的机制。方法AL患者60例,其中32例在化疗结束后BPC≤30×109/L时用rhIL-11治疗,1.5mg/d皮下注射,连用7～14d或至血小板较用药前升高50×109/L以上时停药。观察rhIL-11的疗效及不良反应,ELISA法检测用药前血清IL11水平,RTPCR法检测单个核细胞IL-11受体α(IL11Rα)基因的表达,分析三者关系。以28例未用rhIL11治疗的患者作对照。结果①rhIL-11用药患者组(完全缓解26例,部分缓解2例,未缓解4例)用药后1周、2周血小板计数分别为(63.40±7.24)×109/L、(98.70±9.37)×109/L;对照组(完全缓解20例,部分缓解3例,未缓解5例)为(42.50±6.38)×109/L、(70.30±7.12)×109/L;rhIL11用药患者组较对照组血小板恢复时间缩短(P<0.05)。rhIL11用药患者组10例需要输注血小板,平均为16～32U;对照组19例,平均为32～48U。常见不良反应为轻度乏力、肌肉疼痛,5例出现短暂房性心律失常,减量或停药后消失。显效组用药前平均IL11水平为(21.81±1.88)ng/L,低于无效组(35.75±2.10)ng/L(P<0.05);其IL-11Rα相对水平为0.3552±0.0224,高于无效组(0.1692±0.0066)(P<0.05)。用药前血清IL-11、单个核细胞IL-11Rα水平与血小板计数均无相关性;用药后IL-11水平与骨髓巨核细胞计数无相关性。结论rhI-11治疗AL患者化疗后引起的血小板减少安全有效;检测用药前血清IL-11水平和单个核细胞IL-11Rα的表达对预测rhIL-11疗效有一定意义。     

Non-cryopreserved peripheral blood progenitor cells collected by a single very large-volume leukapheresis: a simplified and effective procedure for support of high-dose chemotherapy

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) support has become a widely used treatment strategy. In order to simplify the procedure, a single very large-volume leukapheresis programme combined with short-term refrigerated storage of the PBPC was developed. Seventy-two patients suffering from various relatively chemosensitive malignancies received high-dose chemotherapy, consisting of agents with short in vivo half-lives and 24 to 48 hours later, the refrigerated PBPC were reinfused. A single very large-volume apheresis was sufficient to obtain at least 2 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells in 58 patients (81%), and 63% had at least 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. Only two patients (3%) were transplanted with less than 1 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. In three patients (4%) leukapheresis was repeated because of insufficient number of PBPC. The median CD34+ cell count was 3 x 10(6)/kg. A median of 38.5 L blood (range, 21 to 59) was processed, which accounted for a median of 9 x patient's total blood volume. Very large-volume leukapharesis was well tolerated with symptomatic hypocalcemia being the most common (18%) side-effect. The median time to neutrophils >1.5 x 10(9)/L, and to self-supporting platelet count >25 x 10(9)/L, was 10 and 12 days after reinfusion of PBPC graft, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths. Our results indicate that this simplified approach of PBPC transplantation can be associated with prompt hematologic recovery in most patients and that it can be useful in settings where facilities are limited or for certain diseases where conditioning regimens with short half-life are appropriate. J. Clin. Apheresis, 15:236-241, 2000.     

Evaluation of the clinical usefulness of C. difficile toxin testing in hospitalized patients with diarrhea

Although numerous studies have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different assays for Clostridium difficile toxin, none has evaluated how physicians utilize these tests or respond to test results. Therefore, we assessed patient characteristics, clinical findings, and physician responses to positive and negative assay results at two university-affiliated hospitals, one of which used a cell cytotoxicity assay to test for C. difficile toxin and the other of which used an enzyme immunoassay. Two hundred one patient samples at Hospital A and 199 samples at Hospital B were assessed. Positive toxin assays were more frequent at Hospital A than at Hospital B (p < 0.001), at least in part due to the fact that patients tested at Hospital A were more likely to have fever (p < 0.001), an abnormal abdominal exam (p < 0.001), an abnormal leukocyte count (p < 0.001), and a history of prior antibiotic use (p < 0.001). Empiric therapy for C. difficile before results of the toxin assay was more common (p < 0.001) at Hospital A (83/201, 41. 3%) than at Hospital B (25/199, 12.5%). Once empiric therapy was started, most physicians continued therapy despite negative test results (Hospital A, 76%; Hospital B, 69%). Patients who were treated empirically were more likely than patients not treated empirically to have positive toxin assay results and to have fever (p < 0.001), an abnormal abdominal exam (p = 0.003), or an abnormal leukocyte count (p < 0.05). Physicians seldom ordered repeat toxin assays (Hospital A, 14%; Hospital B, 10%) if the initial assay result was negative. In logistic regression analysis, predictors of a positive toxin assay were prior antibiotic therapy, an abnormal abdominal exam, residence at Hospital A, and age >/= 60 years. Predictors of empiric therapy were residence at Hospital A and prior antibiotic therapy. Because physicians electing to empirically treat inpatients with diarrhea rarely alter therapy based on C. difficile toxin assay results, a more cost-effective management strategy may be not to obtain a toxin assay at all in such situations. Testing should be limited to patients who have received antibiotics within the prior month and who have significant diarrhea and/or abdominal pain.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病e2a-pbx1融合基因的表达水平与临床特点、早期治疗反应的相关性

为了探讨急性淋巴细胞白血病儿童初诊的e2a—pbx1融合基因表达水平与患儿临床特点和早期治疗反应的关系．采用实时定量聚合酶链反应定量检测45例患儿初诊e2a-pbx1表达水平和23例诱导缓解治疗第33天时微小残留病（minimal residual disease，MRD）水平；分析初诊e2a—pbx1表达水平、MRD水平与临床特点和早期治疗反应的相关性；比较MRD阳性与阴性患儿初诊e2a—pbx1表达水平及临床特点的差异。结果表明：初诊时e2a-pbx1表达水平与初诊时外周血幼稚细胞百分比呈正相关。23例诱导缓解治疗第33天MRD水平与初诊时各临床特点及e2a—pbx1表达水平均缺乏相关性。MRD阳性组初诊时e2a—pbx1表达水平高于阴性组，而患儿年龄显著低于阴性组。外周血白细胞数〈25×10^9／L的患儿，初诊时外周血幼稚细胞百分比显著低于≥25×10V／L组，血小板计数显著高于≥25×10^9／L组。结论：初诊时e2a—pbx1表达水平可以提示患儿初诊时的肿瘤负荷。MRD阳性患儿初诊时e2a—pbx1表达水平高，年龄小。初诊肿瘤负荷高的患儿，外周血血小板数低。     

Thrombocytopenia complicating the clinical course of leptospiral infection

Leptospirosis can present with a wide clinical spectrum, and haematological manifestations are often apparent. We retrospectively analysed platelet counts in 49 patients with leptospirosis. Forty-three patients (87.8%) had thrombocytopenia. Mean baseline platelet counts rose from 69 x 10(9)/l to 151 x 10(9)/l following treatment. Haemorrhagic episodes were observed in 11 patients. Platelet nadir was 29 x 10(9)/l in the group experiencing bleeding and 64 x 10(9)/l in the remainder. Six patients died due to bleeding and one due to sepsis. Thirty-six patients (73.5%) had acute renal failure; their means platelet count was 46 x 10(9)/l. Liver enzyme levels were elevated in all patients. Thrombocyte count, liver enzyme levels and bilirubin levels were significantly correlated. Forty-three (87.8%) patients showed signs of sepsis; mean thrombocyte count was 46 x 10(9)/l in these patients, and 133 x 10(9)/l in those without sepsis. Multiple organ involvement and fulminant disease is usually associated with renal failure and/or thrombocytopenia in leptospirosis.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病TEL-AML1融合基因的表达水平与临床特点、早期治疗反应的关系

为探讨儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病初诊时TEL-AML1融合基因表达水平与患儿的临床特点、早期治疗反应的关系,采用实时定量聚合酶链反应（RQ-PCR）定量检测35例患儿（包括标危20例,中危15例）初诊TEL-AML1表达水平和诱导缓解治疗结束微小残留病（MRD）水平,比较MRD阴性与MRD阳性患儿的初诊TEL-AML1表达水平及临床特点,分析初诊TEL-AML1表达水平、MRD水平与临床特点、早期治疗反应的相关性。结果发现,初诊时TEL-AML1表达水平为1.63×104拷贝/104拷贝ABL（中位数）。诱导缓解结束时,16例（10例标危、6例中危）患儿未达到分子缓解,MRD水平分别为0.84-282.93拷贝/104拷贝ABL。初诊TEL-AML1表达水平与各临床特点及MRD水平缺乏相关性。MRD水平与泼尼松实验治疗第8天外周血幼稚细胞数显著相关。初诊时外周血白细胞计数〈25×109/L的患儿,MRD水平还与白细胞计数、幼稚细胞百分比显著相关。MRD阴性患儿初诊TEL-AML1表达水平显著低于MRD阳性者。结论：对于TEL-AML1＋儿童ALL,45.71%未能在诱导缓解治疗结束时获得分子缓解,说明了后续治疗的重要性。泼尼松实验治疗的效果预示了诱导缓解治疗结束时的MRD水平。初诊外周血白细胞计数、幼稚细胞百分比和初诊TEL-AML1表达水平均在一定程度上影响诱导缓解治疗结束时的MRD水平。     

Thrombocytopenia and prognosis in intensive care

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and prognosis of thrombocytopenia in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: The medical ICU of a university hospital and the combined medical-surgical ICU of a regional hospital. PATIENTS: All patients consecutively admitted during a 5-month period. INTERVENTIONS: Patient surveillance and data collection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measure was ICU mortality. Data of 329 patients were analyzed. Overall ICU mortality rate was 19.5%. A total of 136 patients (41.3%) had at least one platelet count <150 x 10(9)/L. These patients had higher Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores at admission, longer ICU stay (8 [4-16] days vs. 5 [2-9] days) (median [interquartile range]), and higher ICU mortality (crude odds ratio [OR], 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-9.1) and hospital mortality than patients with daily platelet counts >150 x 10(9)/L (p < .0005 for all comparisons). Bleeding incidence rose from 4.1% in nonthrombocytopenic patients to 21.4% in patients with minimal platelet counts between 101 x 10(9)/L and 149 x 10(9)/L (p = .0002) and to 52.6% in patients with minimal platelet counts <100 x 10(9)/L (p < .0001). In all quartiles of admission APACHE II and SAPS II scores, a nadir platelet count <150 x 10(9)/L was related with a substantially poorer vital prognosis. Similarly, a drop in platelet count to < or =50% of admission was associated with higher death rates (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 3.0-12.0; p < .0001). In a logistic regression analysis with ICU mortality as the dependent variable, the occurrence of thrombocytopenia had more explanatory power than admission variables, including APACHE II, SAPS II, and MODS scores (adjusted OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.8-10.2). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia is common in ICUs and constitutes a simple and readily available risk marker for mortality, independent of and complementary to established severity of disease indices. Both a low nadir platelet count and a large fall of platelet count predict a poor vital outcome in adult ICU patients.     

Concurrent comparison of the Cobe Spectra and Fenwal CS3000 for the collection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cells, collected by leukapheresis from peripheral blood, can be used as an alternative to autologous bone marrow transplantation following high-dose chemotherapy as treatment of several malignancies. We compared the ability of the Cobe Spectra and the Fenwal CS3000 to collect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Ten patients experienced repeated leukapheresis (10 L blood processed per procedure) using both instruments. Procedures were alternated between the two until a total of 7 x 10(8) MNC/kg was collected. Data from 61 Spectra and 50 CS3000 collections were analyzed. The yield (mean per procedure) of nucleated cells (NC) and MNC was higher (P less than .005) with the Spectra (0.77 x 10(10) NC and 0.54 x 10(10) MNC) than with the CS3000 (0.59 x 10(10) NC and 0.40 x 10(10) MNC). However, colony forming units (CFU-GM) were not different (P greater than .05) for Spectra (0.92 x 10(4)) and Fenwal (0.65 x 10(4) collections. Platelet contamination was lower (P less than .001) with the Spectra (2.2 x 10(11)) than the CS3000 (5.0 x 10(11)). This correlated with a higher patient blood platelet count immediately following Spectra collections (117 x 10(9)/L) versus the CS3000 (86 x 10(9)/L). Using the methods described, the Spectra product contained greater yields of NC and MNC with less platelet contamination than did the CS3000.     

Evaluation of platelet transfusion triggers in a tertiary-care hospital

BACKGROUND: Our 1100-bed referral hospital uses approximately 12,000 units of random-donor platelets (PLTs) and 1,900 units of single-donor apheresis PLTs per year with a mean of 23 percent outdating. An analysis of patterns of utilization has been undertaken to evaluate practice. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Over a 9-month period, data were collected on a total of 1682 transfusion episodes in 464 patients. When the pretransfusion count was greater than 10 x 10(9) per L an attempt was made to identify the specific indications for PLT transfusions such as bleeding. RESULTS: The majority (78%) of PLTs were transfused when the counts were above 10 x 10(9) per L. The mean pretransfusion counts for different services were: bone marrow transplant (BMT) 17.4 x 10(9) per L, hematology-oncology 14.6 x 10(9) per L, the Heart Institute 3 x 10(9) per L, and other services 36 x 10(9) per L. The percentage of transfusions given to patients with a count greater than 10 x 10(9) per L varied by service with 79 percent in BMT, 60 percent in hematology and oncology, 98 percent at the Heart Institute, and 81 percent in other services. Routine monitoring of counts shows a mean increment of 10.2 x 10(9) per L per transfusion. One hour posttransfusion counts, 24-hour posttransfustion counts, and documentation of clinical justification for transfusions was often not available. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that most patients who receive PLTs have pretransfusion counts of more than 10 x 10(9) per L and more than one-third have pretransfusion counts of greater than 20 x 10(9) per L. The medical literature supports prophylactic PLT transfusion based solely on the count when the PLT number is 10 x 10(9) per L or less. Above this level additional justification is needed although there are different points of view concerning the appropriate triggers. Our data suggest that there is a need for clear hospital transfusion guidelines and ongoing monitoring of PLT use.