BCR-ABL fusion protein detection in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of adult precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients using the flow cytometric immunobead assay.

Background: The ability to detect the BCR-ABL fusion gene in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pB-ALL) is essential for making accurate treatment decisions.

Methods: We used a new flow cytometric immunobead assay for BCR-ABL fusion protein detection in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples from 38 adult pB-ALL patients and the results were compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of BCR-ABL transcript.

Results: The fusion protein was detected in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples from seven of the 38 (18%) patients, and results for both the p190 and p210 were confirmed by PCR.

Grape anaphylaxis: a study of 11 adult onset cases.

Reports of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions to grapes and wine are limited in the literature. Nevertheless, grapes are widely grown and consumed in Mediterranean countries. The object of this prospective study was to present clinical features, in vivo and in vitro allergy testing, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) serotyping in patients with recurring reactions to grapes and grape products.

Shared epitopes and rheumatoid arthritis: disease associations in Greece and meta-analysis of Mediterranean European populations.

Objectives: To assess the strength of the associations between HLA shared epitopes (SE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility, articular disease severity, and extra-articular features in Mediterranean European populations.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-four Greek RA patients and 103 controls were evaluated. Data were then included in a meta-analysis of 9 studies of Mediterranean European populations (959 RA patients and 1,405 controls).