Human parvovirus B19 in bone marrows from adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a comparative study using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Human parvovirus B19, which infects and lyses erythroid precursors, can cause severe anemia in patients with immunodeficiency. The incidence of parvovirus infection in adult acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is unknown. Eighty-one archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) bone marrow biopsies from 73 AIDS adults were immunostained with monoclonal R92F6 against B19 VP1 and VP2 capsid proteins using streptavidin peroxidase and streptavidin alkaline phosphatase techniques.

The nuances of lymphocytopenia.

We have discussed the causes of lymphocytopenia and attempted to categorize them according to pathogenesis. This effort may be tenuous at best, because so much is still unknown about lymphocyte function and kinetics. In describing pathogenesis we have reported what has been published and not speculated on mechanisms when they were not stated.

The platelet volume-number relationship in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome has not been elucidated completely. Many findings in these patients are identical to those with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. However, recent findings in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients including the effect of zidovudine on platelet count and the demonstration of ultrastructural changes and viral RNA in megakaryocytes, have suggested that the human immunodeficiency virus may directly infect megakaryocytes, and play a role in acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related thrombocytopenia.

Hematology analyzers.

An overview of current hospital hematology analyzers has been presented. The technology involved is extraordinarily sophisticated and has provided us with interesting new and potentially useful parameters. Even the instrument evaluation process is becoming increasingly complex, but new standards are being developed that provide guidance for users.

ABH and Lewis blood group expression in colorectal carcinoma.

The expression of ABO(H) and Lewis blood group antigens on 68 colorectal carcinomas from 63 patients was studied by immunohistochemical staining of tissue specimens. The pattern of antigen expression was as follows: ABH was expressed in normal tissue only in secretors and was expressed in the proximal but not distal colon. In tumors, there was net loss of ABH expression in the proximal and net gain in the distal colon.

Double heterozygosity for hemoglobins C and Lepore in an American black man.

We describe a patient doubly heterozygous for hemoglobin (Hb) C-Hb Lepore. To our knowledge, this is only the second case reported in the United States. The erythrocyte morphology and clinical findings were suggestive of Hb C-beta-thalassemia.

The distribution of blood group substance H and CEA in colorectal carcinoma.

The distributional patterns of blood group substance H and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in 20 colorectal carcinomas from 17 patients, were investigated. Prognosis in these cases was more obviously related to histologic classification and pathologic stage than to BGS and CEA distributional patterns or preoperative plasma CEA levels. The distribution of H and CEA was similar to that found by other investigators for A and B blood group substances with the exception that areas of identical localization could be shown in at least some areas of each tumor studied that was positive for both antigens.

Ultrastructural diagnosis of histologically atypical idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The histological and electron microscopic findings in the spleen of a 61-year-old white man with corticosteroid-unresponsive idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are described. Light microscopically, the spleen lacked features characteristic of ITP, such as germinal centers and foamy histiocytes. Ultrastructurally, however, platelet phagocytosis, which is diagnostic of this entity, was readily demonstrable in splenic cord macrophages.

Carcinoma-related alterations of glycosyltransferases in human tissues.

The glycosyltransferases responsible for catalyzing additions of A, B, and H sugars to cellular acceptors were studied in 23 cases of primary carcinoma. The carcinomas were derived from mouth, tongue, larynx, lung, cervix, esophagus, stomach, and colon. Comparisons of A, B, and H enzymes were made between mucosal extracts from tumor and from normal adjacent tissue and, in the case of gastrointestinal tract, extracts derived from mucosae of individuals free of disease.

Evaluation of an automated blood smear analyzer.

The performance of a diff3 System prototype instrument that does automated leukocyte differential counts, erythrocytic morphology determinations, and leukocyte count and platelet count estimates, was compared with performance by laboratory personnel for a five-week period in an active general hospital. Using experienced supervisors as the referee method, this instrument performed as well as the routine laboratory staff in all aspects of leukocyte differential counting. With respect to erythrocytic morphology, estimates of hypochromia were inferior to those of the routine laboratory staff; comparisons of estimates of macrocytosis and polychromasia were not significantly different.