Prevalence of gene mutation and its expression in Brazilian pediatric B-ALL patients: clinical implications.

Introduction: There is consistent evidence that may be a driver gene in B-ALL and that selected cases may benefit from the use of FLT3 inhibitors. Our study was conducted to evaluate the frequency and types of FLT3 mutations in pediatric patients with B-ALL, the relative expression of this gene, and their influence on clinical evolution.

Methods: We evaluated 156 children with B-ALL treated between July 2018 and September 2023.

TRBC1 in flow cytometry: Assay development, validation, and reporting considerations.

The assessment of T-cell clonality by flow cytometry has long been suboptimal, relying on aberrant marker expression and/or intensity. The introduction of TRBC1 shows much promise for improving the diagnosis of T-cell neoplasms in the clinical flow laboratory. Most laboratories considering this marker already have existing panels designed for T-cell workups and will be determining how best to incorporate TRBC1.

Updating recommendations of the Brazilian Group of Flow Cytometry (GBCFLUX) for diagnosis of acute leukemias using four-color flow cytometry panels.

Introduction: Flow cytometry has become an increasingly important tool in the clinical laboratory for the diagnosis and monitoring of many hematopoietic neoplasms. This method is ideal for immunophenotypic identification of cellular subpopulations in complex samples, such as bone marrow and peripheral blood. In general, 4-color panels appear to be adequate, depending on the assay.

Minimal residual disease assessment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia by 4-color flow cytometry: Recommendations from the MRD Working Group of the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Introduction: The minimal residual disease (MRD) status plays a crucial role in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is currently used in most therapeutic protocols to guide the appropriate therapeutic decision. Therefore, it is imperative that laboratories offer accurate and reliable results through well standardized technical processes by establishing rigorous operating procedures.

Method: Our goal is to propose a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) panel for MRD detection in ALL and provide recommendations intended for flow cytometry laboratories that work on 4-color flow cytometry platforms.

Comparison of microRNA expression in high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and Binet A chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: Evidence suggests that monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis precedes all chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases, although the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression are not understood. Aberrant miRNA expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The objective of this study was to compare miRNA expression profiles of patients with Binet A chronic lymphocytic leukemia with those of subjects with high-count monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and healthy volunteers (controls).

Evaluation of the European LeukemiaNet recommendations for predicting outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): A Brazilian experience.

Background: Current results regarding treatment outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) point to significant differences between low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC). Excluding well-known socioeconomic issues, genetic markers important for prognosis have not been properly incorporated into the clinical practice so far and their usefulness outside of well-controlled clinical trials remain unknown.

Methods: Here, we assessed the clinical significance of the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations in 196 consecutive patients with AML in a real-life setting.

Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis in individuals from sporadic (non-familial) chronic lymphocytic leukemia families persists over time, but does not progress to chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases.

Background: Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis is classified as 'high-count or clinical' monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and 'low-count or population' monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. Previously, 167 first-degree relatives pertaining to sporadic (non-familial) chronic lymphocytic leukemia families were studied and the presence of seven monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis individuals was reported.

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe the outcomes of five of the original monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis individuals.

Lewis lead enhances atrial activity detection in wide QRS tachycardia.

Background: The differential diagnosis of wide QRS tachycardia is a challenge for the emergency physician. The major tool is the electrocardiogram (ECG), even though the sensitivity and specificity may be variable, depending on presentation. Additional leads could be used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the ECG.

Magnetic purification of biotinylated cDNA removes false priming and ensures strand-specificity of RT-PCR for enteroviral RNAs.

The detection of replicative intermediate RNAs as markers of active replication of RNA viruses is an essential tool to investigate pathogenesis in acute viral infections, as well as in their long-term sequelae. In this regard, strand-specific PCR has been used widely to distinguish (-) and (+) enteroviral RNAs in pathogenesis studies of diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy. It has been generally assumed that oligonucleotide-primed reverse transcription of a given RNA generates only the corresponding specific cDNA, thus assuring the specificity of a PCR product amplified from it.

Coccidioidal pericarditis: a rapid presumptive diagnosis by an in-house antigen confirmed by mycological and molecular methods.

Coccidioidal pericarditis is a condition found in approximately 1-5% of patients infected by Coccidioides species. It is associated with widely diverse clinical symptoms. This paper reports a case of coccidioidal pericarditis diagnosed by an in-house Coccidioides posadasii antigen and confirmed with mycological and molecular methods.

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients in northeastern Brazil by use of rapid urine-screening test.

Context And Objective: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication of cirrhotic patients with ascites. It has been proposed that the reagent strip for leukocyte esterase designed for the testing of urine (Combur test UX) could be a useful tool for diagnosing SPB. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of urine test strips for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites.