Rapid detection of bacterial contamination of platelet-rich plasma-derived platelet concentrates using flow cytometry.

Flow cytometry can be used to detect bacterial contamination of platelet products. In this study, we investigated whether the incubation of a minimal volume of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-derived platelet concentrates (PCs) with growth medium improved the analytical sensitivity of flow cytometry. Five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli) were used.

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of Korean patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

To compare the molecular cytogenetic characteristics between Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) and multiple myeloma (MM), we performed interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in Korean patients with WM and MM. Forty patients with WM and 132 patients with MM were enrolled onto the study. FISH was performed with seven different probes: 6q21, 6q23, CEP4, CEP9, immunoglobulin (IgH) breakapart, RB1 gene, and 1q25.

Prognostic values of the factor Xa-activated clotting time and endogenous thrombin potential in patients suspected of having disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Background: Widespread coagulation activation and intravascular fibrin formation are clinical features of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) has been shown to be a useful marker for hypo- or hypercoagulability. The factor Xa-activated clotting time (XACT) represents plasma levels of procoagulant phospholipids.

[Clinical usefulness of plasma interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in disseminated intravascular coagulation].

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by a systemic activation of coagulation leading to the intravascular deposition of fibrin and the simultaneous consumption of coagulation factors and platelets. Inflammatory cytokines can activate the coagulation system. This study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the plasma level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) for predicting DIC.