Mother-newborn ABO group discrepancy caused by a rare BW.17 variant.

Several ABO gene mutations are known to determine rare subgroups: these ABO variants are often responsible for weak or null phenotypes and may cause an incorrect determination of the serotype. Here we describe for the first time the phenotypic discrepancy of a rare B allele within the same Caucasian family that depends on the co-inheritance with A or H antigen. Blood samples from newborns, mothers, and grandmothers were analysed through routine serotype and genotype testing.

Persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis: morphological, immunological, cytogenetic and molecular analysis of an Italian case.

We describe a case of persistent polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) studied by morphological, immunological, cytogenetic and molecular analysis. PPBL is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with an unclear natural history. Although a few cases of malignancies are observed during PPBL, this disorder is usually considered to be an indolent syndrome.

All-trans retinoic acid in hematological malignancies, an update. GER (Gruppo Ematologico Retinoidi).

Background And Objective: During the past ten years, the study of retinoids has undergone a total transformation. The Italian Society of Experimental Hematology decided to discuss these advances at a meeting in Florence on April 18, 1996.

Information Sources: The material examined in the present review includes articles and abstracts published in journals covered by the Science Citation Index and Medline.

Myelodysplastic transformation in a case of essential thrombocythemia treated with pipobroman.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal disorder of the myeloid stem cell that causes pathologic expansion of the megakaryocytic elements in the bone marrow, with a persistent increase in the platelet count. In order to avoid the mutagenic effects of radioactive phosphorous and alkylating agents, various European clinicians use pipobroman rather than hydroxyurea as single chemotherapeutic treatment, since it is simple and well tolerated and does not lead to hematological complications or the risk of visceral cancer. Here we describe a 63-year-old ET patient who showed myelodysplastic transformation (RAEB-t) of the primary disease after about eight years of therapy with pipobroman at variable dosages.

[Noma in a patient with acute leukemia allergic to penicillin].

Noma has virtually disappeared from Europe, but is still found in certain parts of Africa, South America and Asia. In our case the etiologic agent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitive to antibiotic therapy that we used (pefloxacin and netilmicin). Another characteristic aspect of our case is the rapid infaust evolution.

[Efficacy of erythropoietin in anemia of patients with immuno-lymphoproliferative disease].

Anemia is a common complication of lymphoproliferative syndromes. The exact pathogenic mechanism of this anemia is unclear. Many patients require progressive and persistent blood transfusions.