Hemoglobin oxygen affinity is increased in erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Whole blood and hemolysates from seven normal and three erythropoietic protoporphyria patients were compared in terms of their hemoglobin function. The oxygen affinity (P50) of the erythropoietic protoporphyria hemolysates compared to normals (13.1 +/- 0.

Blood zinc protoporphyrin is elevated only in sickle cell patients with low fetal hemoglobin.

Increased levels of various porphyrin species have been reported in sickle cell anemia (SS) patients in the absence of lead poisoning and iron deficiency anemia, but conflicting data remain. Suspecting that SS patients may be heterogenous for this abnormality, we have studied zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) blood levels and find abnormally elevated levels of ZPP in those with low peripheral fetal hemoglobin (%HbF) levels. Two groups exist: one with less than 9% HbF and elevated ZPP, and one with greater than or equal to 9% HbF and normal ZPP levels (P less than 8.

Cytomegaloviral adrenalitis and adrenal insufficiency in AIDS.

In a review of 74 autopsy cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was found in 50% (37 cases). Of these 37 cases the adrenal glands were affected by CMV in 84%. The authors analyzed the histologic features of 30 of these 37 cases of CMV adrenalitis by grading the CMV inclusions, inflammation and necrosis (CMV score), focal versus diffuse involvement, and the degree of fibrosis (fibrosis score).