Use of reticulocyte cellular indices in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological disorders

Automated counting of reticulocytes has markedly increased the precision and accuracy of this assay compared with the traditional manual counts. In addition, several new reticulocyte parameters are now available to clinicians and pathologists. This review examines the potential role of these parameters in the diagnosis and management of anemias. Reticulocyte maturity can now be assessed based on the staining intensity of reticulocytes, which is proportional to their RNA content. However, the clinical value of the numerical estimate of the immature reticulocyte fraction has not been yet demonstrated. In the bone marrow transplant setting, there is no clear evidence that the use of this index results in improved care of these patients, and many studies have failed to show its superiority compared with the traditional white cell count, especially for autologous transplants. Direct measurement of reticulocyte volume, hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin content are now available. Studies have shown that these parameters, and hemoglobin content in particular, allow a real-time assessment of the functional state of the erythroid marrow. In the setting of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy, studies of hemoglobin content have shown that this index allows an early detection of functional iron deficiency. Preliminary studies have also shown that this index may be helpful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and in the monitoring of iron replacement therapy.     

新型网织红细胞参数在缺铁性贫血疗效观察中的应用

目的　观察网织红细胞绝对数 (RET #)、网织红细胞内血红蛋白量 (CHr)、平均网织红细胞体积 (MCVr)及网织红细胞内血红蛋白浓度 (CHCMr)等网红参数在缺铁性贫血 (IDA)患者铁剂治疗中的动态变化 ,确定骨髓对铁剂治疗反应的早期指标。方法　用Advia 12 0血细胞分析仪对 13例缺铁性贫血患者在治疗过程中网红参数的变化进行了动态观察。结果　缺铁性贫血患者在铁剂治疗后 ,网红参数RET #、CHr、MCVr于第 4天明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ,第七天恢复正常 ;血红蛋白于第 14天明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ,第 2 8天恢复正常 ;CH、MCV、CHCM于第 2 8天明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ,第 4 9天后恢复正常 ;RDW于第 7天明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ,14天后又逐渐降低 ,第 12 0天恢复正常。结论　网红参数RET #、CHr、MCVr可作为评价缺铁性贫血患者铁剂治疗后骨髓对治疗反应最敏感的指标     

Measurement of reticulocyte and red blood cell indices in patients with iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor.

New parameters correlated with the hemoglobin content in reticulocytes (RET-Y) and in red blood cells (RBC-Y) have been suggested as helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. We have studied RET-Y and RBC-Y indices in two groups of patients with microcytosis to verify if these parameters could be used to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from beta-thalassemia minor. Blood samples from 33 iron-deficient patients, 25 beta-thalassemic minor patients and 50 normal individuals were analyzed on a Sysmex XE-2100 instrument. A significant difference was observed in reticulocyte counting and immature reticulocyte fraction between iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia minor groups, but not in RBC-X and RET-Y parameters. Reticulocyte counting was higher in beta-thalassemia minor and the immature reticulocyte fraction was higher in severe iron deficiency anemia. The ratio RET-Y/mean cell volume was tested and was significantly different when beta-thalassemia minor was compared with mild and severe iron deficiency anemia, and showed better performance than the Mentzer ratio and the Green and King function. A great overlap of RET-Y and RBC-Y individual values was observed in both groups of microcytic anemias; we conclude that these new indices may be used with caution as indicative of iron deficiency, mainly in populations where beta-thalassemia minor is frequent.     

CHr在缺铁性贫血中的诊断意义

目的探讨CHr在缺铁性贫血中的诊断价值。方法选取病例120例,分别建立IDA患者组和非IDA患者组,在体检人群中选出正常对照30例,分别比较正常对照组、IDA贫血组和非IDA贫血组CHr、CH、MCV、SI等参数的均值,并按贫血诊断标准比较这四个参数的灵敏度和特异度。结果IDA贫血组与健康组和非IDA组相比均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;非IDA组与健康组相比差别无统计学意义（P〉0．5）;四个参数中CHr的灵敏度和特异度均高于其他三个参数。结论CHr能够简便、快速、特异地诊断缺铁性贫血。     

Iron deficiency and erythropoiesis: new diagnostic approaches

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common diseases worldwide. In the majority of cases, the presence of hypochromic microcytic anemia and biochemical evidence for depletion of body iron stores makes the diagnosis relatively straightforward. However, in several clinical conditions, classic biochemical indices such as serum iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin may not be informative or may not change rapidly enough to reflect transient iron-deficient states (functional iron deficiency), such as the ones that develop during recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) therapy. The identification and treatment of iron deficiency in settings such as r-HuEPO therapy, anemia of chronic disease, and iron deficiency of early childhood may be improved by the use of red cell and reticulocyte cellular indices, which reflect in almost real time the development of iron deficiency and the response to iron therapy. In the anemia of chronic disease, measurements of plasma cytokines and iron metabolism regulators such as hepcidin (when available) may be helpful in the characterization of the pathophysiologic basis of this condition. The ratio of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) to serum ferritin (R/F ratio) has been shown to have excellent performance in estimating body iron stores, but it cannot be used widely because of the lack of standardization for sTfR assays. The combination of hematologic markers such as reticulocyte hemoglobin content, which decreases with iron deficiency, and R/F ratio may allow for a more precise classification of anemias.     

Reticulocyte hemoglobin measurement--comparison of two methods in the diagnosis of iron-restricted erythropoiesis.

The aims of this study were to diagnose iron-restricted erythropoiesis (functional iron deficiency) in patients with classic iron deficiency (ID), anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and the combined state of ID/ACD with the use of two hematological methods for the measurement of reticulocyte hemoglobinization. In comparison, the biochemical markers of iron status were determined. We studied 474 anemic patients admitted to hospital with a broad spectrum of diseases. We measured indicators of reticulocyte hemoglobinization. CHr was determined on an Advia 120 hematology analyzer. A Sysmex XE-2100 hematology analyzer was used to determine RET-Y, the forward scatter of fluorescence-labeled reticulocytes, which can also be expressed as the reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET-H(e)), as well as RBC-Y, the forward scatter of fluorescence-labeled erythrocytes, which can be expressed as the erythrocyte hemoglobin equivalent. Ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and the sTfR/log ferritin ratio (sTfR-F index) were used as biochemical markers. The comparison of RET-Y with CHr demonstrated an excellent curvilinear relationship between the two parameters. The normal reference range for Ret-Y was 1630-1860 arbitrary units (AU); mathematical transformation to RET-H(e) gave a range of 28.2-35.7 pg. Correlations of biochemical iron markers with RET-H(e) were as weak as with CHr in patients with ACD and acute phase response. In a diagnostic plot to identify iron status, RET-H(e) could replace CHr without any loss of sensitivity or specificity. Patient mismatch analysis between RET-H(e) and CHr in the diagnostic plot demonstrated agreement for 449 of 474 patients (94.4%). Patient specific anemia mismatches were 2.9-6.2%. According to our results, the indicators of reticulocyte hemoglobinization, RET-H(e) and CHr, measure the same phenomenon. RET-H(e) is as valuable as CHr for the diagnosis of iron-restricted erythropoiesis. The combination of RET-H(e) and the sTfR-F index in a diagnostic plot offers an attractive tool for the evaluation of iron status and identification of the progression of ID.     

网织红细胞血红蛋白含量测定早期筛查铁缺乏

目的:研究网织红细胞血红蛋白含量(CHr)在早期筛查铁缺乏中的价值。方法:应用ADVIA120血细胞分析仪检测常用血液学指标,包括CH(单个红细胞血红蛋白含量)、MCH、HGB、MCV、RDW和CHr;同时采用生物化学法或化学发光免疫法测定铁代谢指标,包括血清铁(SI)、血清总铁结合力(TIBC),血清转铁蛋白饱和度(TfS)、血清铁蛋白(SF)和急性时相反应标志物-血清C反应蛋白(CRP)。结果:CHr低于临界值(<28.5pg)患者的CH、HGB、MCH、MCV、SI和TfS降低,RDW和TIBC增高,SF呈不规则变化。血清CRP增高患者与不增高的患者相比CHr及常规血液学指标无差异,但CRP增高患者SF显著增高(P<0.05)。CHrCH患者的TfS显著减低(P=0.021)。健康人CHr和CH的参考范围分别为30.4～35.8pg、28.8～33.8pg。结论:CHr低于临界值的患者符合小细胞低色素性贫血和铁缺乏时的铁代谢变化。CHr可常规应用于临床铁缺乏的诊断和早期铁缺乏(CHr相似文献   

Hematological parameters in preterm infants from birth to 16 weeks of age with reference to iron balance

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the natural kinetics of serum soluble transferrin receptor (S-TfR), ferritin and reticulocyte indices in preterm neonates, and to find out whether these analytes relate to hematocrit (Hct) level in determining the need for red cell (RBC) transfusions. METHODS: During a 2-year period, 100 preterm neonates were recruited in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit. Inclusion criteria were gestational age < or =34 weeks or birth weight <2000 g. Biochemical markers of iron deficiency and hematological indices were serially analyzed from birth. This report focuses on the first 16 weeks after birth. RESULTS: The trends of the studied analytes were presented with reference ranges. RBC transfusions did not have a significant effect on reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) or reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes were lowest after the first week and S-TfR at 9 weeks of age. CHr and fraction of immature reticulocytes were highest at birth and decreased thereafter. CHr and reticulocyte count were significantly different in two groups determined by Hct level (Hct < or > or =0.30). This difference was not observed in S-TfR or ferritin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to reflecting the activity of erythropoiesis, S-TfR seems to reflect iron balance in preterm neonates. By using CHr and reticulocyte, it is possible to obtain more information about iron balance in relation to erythropoiesis, and it might be useful to combine this information with Hct before making a decision about a transfusion.     

网织红细胞血红蛋白含量在小儿营养性缺铁性贫血筛查中的价值

目的 探讨网织红细胞血红蛋白含量(CHr)对小儿缺铁性贫血(IDA)的筛查诊断效率.方法 检测分析39例IDA患儿,22例非IDA患儿,20例健康对照者外周血红细胞参数及铁代谢指标.结果 IDA组CHr、平均红细胞容积、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、血清铁、血清总铁结合力及血清铁蛋白均值较健康对照组及非IDA贫血组明显降低(P<0.05),当临界值为28 pg时,CHr诊断IDA的灵敏度和特异性分别为90%和81%.结论 CHr优于传统的红细胞参数及铁代谢指标,可准确地诊断铁缺乏和缺铁性贫血,为1项简便、快速、价廉,可广泛用于铁缺乏的筛查.     

健康人群网织红细胞参数及与成熟红细胞参数的比较研究

目的探讨网织红细胞的某些参数与成熟红细胞相应参数间的关系。方法应用西门子Advia 2120血细胞分析仪对112例男性和110例女性健康体检者进行多项网织红细胞参数测定,确认参考范围,并与成熟红细胞5项相应的参数进行比对分析。结果纳入研究者中,女性的网织红细胞百分比(Retic%)、网织红细胞绝对值(Retic#)、网织红细胞平均血红蛋白含量(CHr)、网织红细胞平均体积(MCVr)的参考范围分别为0.45%~1.76%、(22~86)×109/L、30.1~36.4pg、99.5~113.7fL;男性的这4项参数的参考范围分别为0.54%~1.93%、(29~104)×109/L、32.6~36.6pg、97.6~112.7fL。网织红细胞计数男性高于女性,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。MCVr明显大于成熟红细胞平均体积,且女性略高于男性;CHr明显高于成熟红细胞的平均血红蛋白量,而体积较大的网织红细胞内的平均血红蛋白浓度则低于成熟红细胞的平均血红蛋白浓度;网织红细胞体积分布宽度低于成熟红细胞体积分布宽度;成熟红细胞内血红蛋白含量的均一性则比网织红细胞内血红蛋白含量均一性好。结论建立了网织红细胞一些应用较少的参数的参考范围并与红细胞的相应参数进行了分析。     

网织红细胞血红蛋白含量在诊断妇女铁缺乏的临床应用

目的 探讨网织红细胞血红蛋白含量 (reticulocyte hemoglobin content,CHr)在诊断女性铁缺乏的应用价值.方法 采用 ADVIA 120全自动血液分析仪及配套试剂对缺铁非贫血和缺铁贫血患者进行CHr、Hb、平均红细胞体积(MCV)和红细胞体积分布宽度(RDW)检测,同时,采用生化方法对所有人选者的转铁蛋白饱和度(TS)和铁蛋白(SF)进行检测.通过统计学方法ROC曲线对CHr 和其他贫血指标进行评价.结果 缺铁非贫血组的CHr为(28.2±2.2)pg,低于正常对照组的(32.0±2.7)pg,并高于缺铁贫血组的(23.4±3.5)Pg,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.01).慢性病贫血组CHr为(28.6±3.7)pg,高于缺铁贫血组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).ROC曲线显示,缺铁非贫血组的CHr面积为0.872、SF为0.798、RDW为0.721、MCV为0.713、Hb为0.677,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),可见CHr在诊断缺铁非贫血方面比SF、RDW、MCV、Hb更有价值.缺铁贫血组Hb、RDW、CHr、SF和MCV的ROC曲线面积分别为1.000、0.969、0.958、0.953和0.926.结论 CHr是诊断育龄女性铁缺乏的早期、敏感的指标,尤其适用于缺铁非贫血患者的诊断.     

Erythropoiesis activity, iron availability and reticulocyte hemoglobinization during treatment with hemodialysis and in subjects with uremia

In hemodialysis subjects correction of anemia is facilitated by combined supplementation of intravenous iron and recombinant human erythropoietin. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He) is considered to be an actual indicator reflecting functional iron availability for erythropoiesis. In the present study, interdependence between biochemical analytes reflecting iron status and hemocytometric parameters indicating the degree of hemoglobinization of reticulocytes and red blood cells, respectively, is established. Participants of the study were reference subjects (n=75), subjects with iron deficiency anemia (n=52), subjects with uremia (n=19) and subjects undergoing hemodialysis treatment (n=43). If compared with the reference subjects the results for RBC counts and MCHC are statistically significantly decreased in case of subjects with hemodialysis and uremia, whereas increased results are established with regard to RDW-sd values. Significantly increased results for absolute reticulocyte counts and immature reticulocyte fractions (IRF) are also observed in case of subjects with hemodialysis and uremia. Slightly increased values for the ZPP/heme ratio in combination with elevated reticulocyte count reflect increased activity of erythropoiesis. At a definite MCV value, decreased levels for the hemoglobin content of reticulocytes (RET-He) and hemoglobin content of red blood cells (RBC-He) are observed in case of subjects treated with hemodialysis and in subjects with uremia if compared with identical MCV values of the group of reference subjects. For the ratio of RET-He and RBC-He obviously decreased results are demonstrated in case of subjects with iron deficiency anemia (1.02 +/- 0.08, mean +/- SD), hemodialysis (1.05 +/- 0.05) and uremia (1.02 +/- 0.10) if compared with the group of reference subjects (1.11 +/- 0.02). From the combined interpretation of the MCV values within the reference range and decreased values for RET-He and RET-He/RBC-He ratios, respectively, a decreased degree of hemoglobinization is concluded in the case of subjects with hemodialysis or uremia. The conclusion implicating the presumption of reduced functional availability of iron for hemoglobin synthesis is supported by the detection of increased results for sTfR concentrations and ZPP/heme ratios.     

网织红细胞参数与红细胞参数在孕妇缺铁性贫血的临床应用研究

目的探讨网织红细胞参数与红细胞参数在孕妇缺铁性贫血(IDA)中的诊断价值。方法选取2011年1月至2013年1月收治的孕妇IDA患者220例为观察组,同时选取同期正常妊娠者200例为对照A组,并选取150例非妊娠妇女为对照B组,三组受试者分别采用测定外周血红细胞参数及网织红细胞等相关指标,对比分析三组患者检测结果的差异。结果妊娠期IDA组与对照组相比,红细胞各项参数差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),对照A组与对照B组相比,血红蛋白(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)、红细胞计数(RBC)差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),红细胞分布宽度(RDW)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。妊娠期IDA组两对照组相比,网织细胞各项参数差异具有显著性(P<0.05),对照A组与对照B组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。分别以红细胞参数[HGB、HCT、RBC、红细胞分布宽度(RDW)]以及网织细胞参数[网织红细胞血红蛋白量(CHr)、红细胞内血红蛋白量(CH)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均网织红细胞体积(MCVr)、网织红细胞内血红蛋白量浓度(RDWr)]各指标的正常值与非正常值的临界值作为分界点对IDA进行检测,其中CHr及Hb的灵敏度及特异性较高,分别为93.8%、100%和92.6%、95.6%。结论应用网织红细胞参数以及红细胞参数联合诊断孕期IDA的灵敏度及特异度较高,具有重要的临床诊断价值。     

网织红细胞参数在缺铁性贫血诊断中的价值

目的 探讨新型网织红细胞参数在缺铁性贫血（IDA）诊断中的临床诊断价值。方法 用Bayer ADVIA 120全自动血液分析仪对236例健康人群、101例非IDA患者和78例IDA患者的外周血红细胞和网织红细胞诸参数进行了检测，并对检验结果进行了对比分析。结果IDA患者的血红蛋白（Hb）、平均红细胞体积（MCV）、红细胞内血红蛋白量（CH）、平均网织红细胞体积（MCVr）、网织红细胞内血红蛋白量（CHr）及网织红细胞内血红蛋白量浓度（CHCMr）检测结果明显低于健康人群和非IDA患者（P〈0．01）；而网织红细胞体积分布宽度（RDWr）和网织红细胞细胞内血红蛋白量分布宽度（HDWr）的检测结果明显高于健康人群和非IDA患者（P〈0．01）。如果分别以RDWr〉11．0％、HDWr〉31．6g／L、CHr〈28．0pg／L、CHCMr〈285．0g／L及CH〈27．0pg／L为临界值诊断IDA，其灵敏度和特异性分别为：92．3％、75．6％、100％、100％、92．3％和74．2％、82．2％、89．6％、85．5％和90．2％。结论以CHr〈28．0pg／L及CH〈27．0pg／L为临界值联合诊断IDA效率最优，其假阳性率、假阴性率分别为9．2％和0％。次之为CHr〈28．0pg／L，诊断IDA的假阳性率、假阴性率分别为10．4％和0％。     

Analysis of red cell parameters on the Sysmex XE 2100 and ADVIA 120 in iron deficiency and in uraemic chronic disease

OBJECTIVE: The percentage measurement of hypochromic red cells (HYPO) and reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) using the ADVIA system has recently been validated as a useful tool in indicating iron deficiency, also in cases of chronic diseases such as renal failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the red cell parameters, RBC-Y and RET-Y, provided by Sysmex XE 2100, correlate with HYPO and CHr. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The laboratory markers of iron status were evaluated together with HYPO, CHr, RBC-Y and RET-Y in 92 healthy subjects (C), 42 iron-deficient patients (ID) and 88 uraemic patients receiving regular dialysis treatment (RDT). RESULTS: In ID patients, increased HYPO and decreased RBC-Y, CHr and RET-Y values, with no overlapping with reference values, were found and a significant correlation was present between ADVIA 120 and Sysmex indices (p<0.001 for each correlation). In RDT patients, HYPO median values were increased with a wide distribution of values (95 % reference range = 0.7-27.5 % and 0.7-22.6 % in men and women, respectively). In contrast, RBC-Y was normal/increased (95 % reference range = 169.4-191.1 and 168.7-190.5 in men and women, respectively), even though there was a significant correlation between them (p<0.001). CHr and RET-Y values were within the reference range; moreover, in these patients mean cell volume of red cells and of reticulocytes (MCV and MCVr) median values were increased. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the validity of RBC-Y in the management of ID, but not in RDT, where the diagnostic power of RBC-Y as an index of cell hypochromia is limited owing to high MCV values.     

The diagnostic accuracy of the percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HYPOm) and cellular hemoglobin in reticulocytes (CHr) in differentiating iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic diseases

BackgroundThe percentages of hypochromic red blood cells (%HYPOm) and cellular hemoglobin in reticulocytes (CHr) are suggested to be useful screening markers of iron deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of %HYPOm and CHr in differentiating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of chronic disease (ACD).MethodsThe retrospective population consisted of 58 IDA patients, 129 ACD patients and 63 controls, on whom bone marrow examination and blood count with %HYPOm and CHr had been performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses with area under the ROC curves (AUC) were used as statistical tests.ResultsAUCs for differentiating the groups using %HYPOm were as follows: IDA vs. controls 0.99, ACD vs. controls 0.85 and IDA vs. ACD 0.88. AUCs for CHr in distinguishing the groups were as follows: IDA vs. controls 0.95, ACD vs. controls 0.65 and IDA vs. ACD 0.83.ConclusionsIDA and ACD patients were efficiently differentiated by using %HYPOm and CHr. Additionally, %HYPOm was higher and CHr was lower in IDA patients and in ACD patients than in controls. Thus, %HYPOm is higher and CHr is lower not only in absolute iron deficiency, but also when iron availability for erythropoiesis is restricted.     

Hemoglobinization and functional availability of iron for erythropoiesis in case of thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia

Microcytic erythropoiesis in case of anemia is frequently due to iron deficiency or may be due to alpha- and beta- thalassemia trait as a result of increased activity of erythropoiesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate alterations with regard to the degree of hemoglobinization in reticulocytes in comparison with mature erythrocytes. Iron availability in subjects with anemia resulting from iron deficiency and alpha- or beta- thalassemia was studied by application of conventional as well hemocytometric parameters that have recently become available. Participants of the study were reference subjects (n=75), subjects with iron deficiency anemia (IDA, n=52) and alpha- (n=26) or beta-thalassemia trait (n=24). If compared with the reference group obviously increased RBC counts together with decreased values for RDW-sd and MCHC were established in case of alpha- and beta- thalassemia subjects. Deviations were demonstrated to be more pronounced in case of beta- thalassemia. Accelerated erythropoiesis in the case of subjects with IDA and beta-thalassemia is manifested by detection of increased results for immature reticulocyte counts. In particular in case of beta- thalassemia, elevated reticulocyte counts combined with slightly increased values for ZPP/heme ratio reflect increased activity of erythropoiesis. In the case of subjects with beta-thalassemia serum transferrin concentrations revealed slightly decreased results, whereas serum ferritin and iron concentrations demonstrated a tendency towards higher values if compared with the group of reference subjects. At a definitive MCV level, the hemoglobin content of reticulocytes is decreased in the case of IDA if compared with the alpha- or beta- thalassemia trait. For the ratio of hemoglobin content of reticulocytes and erythrocytes, obviously decreased results are demonstrated in the case of subjects with iron deficiency anemia (1.02 +/- 0.08, mean +/- SD) and in the case of beta-thalassemia (1.06 +/- 0.04) if compared with the group of reference subjects (1.11 +/- 0.02) and a-thalassemia (1.11 +/- 0.07). Evaluation of the hemoglobinization state should be performed by means of pattern recognition in concordance with characteristic profiles for parameters reflecting the actual iron state. In case of therapy the result of intervention can be appropriately monitored by longitudinal follow-up.     

Rapid identification of iron deficiency in blood donors with red cell indexes provided by Advia 120

BACKGROUND: A new generation of automated hematology analyzers allows the rapid determination of various red cell (RBC) indexes, including the percentage of hypochromic mature RBCs (HYPOm) and the hemoglobin (Hb) content of reticulocytes (CHr). These indexes have not yet been validated as measures for the detection of iron deficiency in blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Iron status was evaluated in a total of 1142 unselected prospective blood donors based on measurement of serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, and Hb compared to RBC indexes provided by an automated hematology analyzer (Advia 120, Bayer HealthCare) including HYPOm and CHr. RESULTS: Assuming that the most precise measure for body iron storage is related to the logarithm of the ratio of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin, the sensitivity of ferritin for the diagnosis of iron depletion was 89 percent compared to 57 percent for HYPOm and CHr, respectively, to 69 percent for the combination of both RBC indexes, and to 26 percent for Hb concentration. CONCLUSION: The RBC indexes HYPOm und CHr are significantly better screening measures for identification of iron depletion in blood donors than Hb.     

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia

The aim of the study was to examine the clinical utility of the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) in relation to the mean cell volume of the erythrocyte (MCV) and ferritin for the differential diagnosis of iron-deficient anemia (IDA). In 96 anemic patients classified according to morphology of erythrocytes, CHr indicated a high statistical difference between the non-anemic control group and microcytic (p < 0.001) and normocytic (p < 0.001) anemic groups, but was limited in patients with macrocytic anemia, for which reason they were excluded from the study. In the inflammatory disorders, ferritin concentration may be normal or increase due to acute phase response, which provides false information on a patient's iron status, but CHr indicated a high statistical difference between the control group and the non-inflammatory (p < 0.001) and inflammatory groups (p < 0.001). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrates that CHr has a better overall sensitivity and specificity than MCV and ferritin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency compared to hemoglobin concentration.     

Impact of parturition on iron status in nonanaemic iron deficiency

BACKGROUND: Iron-deficient nonanaemic parturients risk underdiagnosis as a result of the reliance on postpartum ferritin and haemoglobin as markers of iron status. Ferritin is an acute-phase protein whose levels increase during the inflammatory response, as occurs after delivery. Our aims were to evaluate the impact of parturition on iron status, erythropoiesis and the inflammatory response, and identify the optimal parameters and timing for diagnosing iron deficiency in the presence of postpartum inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional parameters of iron status, erythropoiesis and the inflammatory response (serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein) were compared with more recent parameters [soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), hypochromic red cells, reticulocyte indices] within 48 h either side of delivery in 64 iron-deficient nonanaemic women (defined by a prepartum serum ferritin < or =15 microg L(-1), and a pre- and postpartum haemoglobin of > or =11.0 g dL(-1) and > or =10.0 g dL(-1), respectively). RESULTS: Mean sTfR decreased pre to postpartum from 7.3 to 5.8 microg mL(-1) (P<0.01), while mean serum ferritin increased from 9.7 to 16.9 microg L(-1) (P<0.01). Serum ferritin did not correlate with haemoglobin pre or postpartum (r=0.04, P=0.7; r=0.2, P=0.09), but a correlation persisted postpartum between hypochromic red blood cells and haemoglobin (r=-0.26; P<0.05). The percentage of hypochromic red cells remained virtually unchanged pre- and postpartum (4.0% vs. 3.8%; NS). Postpartum mean reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) was 27.1 +/- 1.6 pg. CONCLUSION: Iron status should be tested prepartum, in the absence of an inflammatory response, rather than in the early postpartum. A valuable additional parameter, where available, might be the hypochromic red cell percentage, which is virtually uninfluenced by the inflammatory response. Furthermore, hypochromic red cell percentage, CHr and sTfR can be helpful to differentiate between functional iron deficiency and depleted iron stores.