Refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with oral contraceptives and factor V Leiden: a case report.

Introduction: Thrombotic microangiopathies constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases characterised by microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopaenia associated with platelet aggregation in the microcirculation responsible for ischaemic manifestations. Classically, thrombotic microangiopathies are described as encompassing two main syndromes: thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura and the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome Many cases of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura have, to date, been associated with severe ADAMTS13 metalloprotease deficiency while haemolytic uraemic syndrome usually occurs in the context of normal protease activity. Oestrogens and factor V Leiden have rarely been implicated in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathy.

Transient loss of the Y-chromosome in an elderly man with anemia and lead poisoning: chance occurrence or a clonal marker of the underlying hematological abnormality?

One of the most important environmental and occupational pollutants is lead. Cytogenetic damage is known to occur to many individuals exposed to lead, e.g.

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with pulmonary hematopoiesis.

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) is characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly and leukoerythroblastic anemia and is frequently accompanied by extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). Pulmonary interstitial EMH associated with myelofibrosis has rarely been described in the medical literature and is usually fatal. We report the case of a 77-year-old man with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) treated with hydroxyurea, who seven years after diagnosis presented with dyspnea and severe hypoxemia.

Serum level of interleukin-16 in multiple myeloma patients and its relationship to disease activity.

Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a chemoattractant of CD4+ lymphocytes, and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. There is evidence that it may have a role in multiple myeloma (MM). In the present study, we determined the serum level of IL-16 both before and after treatment of MM and related it to inflammatory markers and survival.