Lymph node FNA cytology: Diagnostic performance and clinical implications of proposed diagnostic categories.

Background: Despite widespread clinical use, lymph node fine-needle aspiration cytology (LN-FNAC) lacks universal acceptance for definitively diagnosing lymphomas. This is likely due to reports of lower diagnostic performance, inconsistent terminology use in cytopathology diagnostic reports, and only limited data on the clinical implications of LN-FNAC diagnoses. Recently, a uniform LN-FNAC cytopathological diagnostic reporting system was proposed (the Sydney System).

Diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry in patients with and without prior hematologic malignancy.

Flow cytometry (FCM) is an adjunct study to routine analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to investigate for involvement by a hematologic malignancy. However, in our experience, FCM only infrequently detects abnormalities in CSF. To help optimize resources without forfeiting clinically important data, we sought to determine evidence-based indications and criteria for performing FCM on CSF.

Flow cytometry for hematopoietic cells.

Within the last 25 years, flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting have emerged as both routine diagnostic tools in clinical medicine and as advanced analytic tools critical in performing scientific research. This chapter aims at summarizing the use of flow cytometry in benign and malignant hematology and the monitoring of inherited and acquired immunodeficiency states. Numerous figures are provided from our laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital that illustrate examples of these conditions.

Flow cytometry is of limited utility in the early identification of "double-hit" B-cell lymphomas.

Background: B-cell lymphomas with concurrent translocations of MYC and BCL2 or BCL6, also known as "double-hit" lymphomas (DHL), are rare malignancies characterized by aggressive clinical behavior and poor prognosis. Previous reports suggest that decreased CD20 and/or CD19 expression by flow cytometry is relatively common in DHL and may help to identify cases requiring additional cytogenetic analysis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 cases of DHL, and compared their flow cytometric characteristics to cases of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Relationship between ABO genotype and A antigen expression on platelets.

Background: Although platelets (PLTs) are known to express ABH antigens, the extent of expression is different on PLTs compared with red blood cells and the relationship between PLT ABH expression and genotype has not been thoroughly investigated.

Study Design And Methods: We measured blood group H and A antigens on PLTs from 100 normal volunteers using fluorescent-conjugated reagents and flow cytometry. Individuals were also genotyped at the ABO locus using a commercially available genotyping system.

Soluble CD163, a novel marker of activated macrophages, is elevated and associated with noncalcified coronary plaque in HIV-infected patients.

Background: Pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages may contribute to increased atherosclerosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We investigate--to our knowledge, for the first time--sCD163 and other markers of monocyte activation in relationship to atherosclerotic plaque in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: One hundred two HIV-infected and 41 HIV-seronegative men with equivalent cardiovascular risk factors and without history of coronary artery disease were prospectively recruited and underwent computed tomography coronary angiography.