Flow cytometric analysis of mast cells from normal and pathological human bone marrow samples: identification and enumeration.

In the present paper we have used a three-color immunofluorescence procedure combined with flow cytometry cell analysis and sorting for the identification and enumeration of human mast cells in both normal and pathological bone marrow samples. Our results show that bone marrow mast cells are clearly identifiable on the basis of their light-scatter properties and strong CD117 expression. These cells were negative for the CD34, CD38, and BB4 antigens.

Expression of lymphoid-associated antigens in mast cells: report of a case of systemic mast cell disease.

In this study the expression of 'classically' considered lymphoid-associated antigens (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD19, CD20, and CD22) was explored both in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mast cells (MC) in a case of systemic mast cell disease (SMCD) by means of using multiple stainings and a direct immunofluorescence technique. CD2 and CD22 were expressed in both PB and BM MC, all the remaining lymphoid-associated markers were negative. Our results suggest that the reactivity for both CD2 and CD22 in PB and BM MC would be aberrant.

Juvenile chronic lymphocytic leukemia with unusual intracisternal inclusions: an ultrastructural study.

The electron microscopic analysis of intracisternal inclusions in lymphocytes of the bone marrow and peripheral blood in a case of juvenile chronic lymphocytic leukemia is described. These inclusions consist of well-ordered microtubules attached to a central axis. The contribution of electron microscopic analysis in establishing the substructural pattern of these inclusions is discussed.

Parasitic culture of buffy coat for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Two samples of buffy coat from the peripheral blood of 25 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with proven visceral leishmaniasis, as determined with a bone marrow aspirate (stain and culture), were cultured onto Schneider's and Novy-McNeal-Nicolle media. Hemoculture positivity was 67%. The average growing time was 10 days.

Pacing requirements after orthotopic heart transplantation: incidence and related factors.

To assess the incidence of severe bradyarrhythmia and pacing requirements after orthotopic heart transplantation, as well as the possible causal mechanisms, we have reviewed our experience on 52 consecutive transplant patients. The overall incidence of bradyarrhythmia requiring pacing for at least 24 hours after transplantation was 27% (14 patients). The conditions of three of them required pacing for less than 1 week; the conditions of the other 11 patients (21%) required pacing for more than 1 week.

Therapeutic response of chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) to a new immunomodulator: AM3. Immunohematological effects.

AM3, a biological response modifier (BRM) of polysaccharide/protein nature, was given by the oral route to 13 patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB). After 12 months of daily treatment, 8 patients cleared serum HBV-DNA and HBeAg together with ALT normalization. Immunohaematologic studies showed how time of inhibition of viral replication was related to significant decreases of CD4, CD8 and B cell blood lymphocytes.