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Total Leukocyte Count (total + leukocyte_count)
Selected AbstractsCLINICAL STUDY: FULL ARTICLE: Immunomodulating properties of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), flunitrazepam and ethanol in ,club drugs' usersADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Simona Pichini ABSTRACT Despite the increasing concern about gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) toxicity in users, no studies have addressed GHB and other club drugs effects on the immune system under controlled administration. Lymphocyte subsets and functional responsiveness of lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation were measured in 10 healthy male recreational users of GHB who participated in five experimental sessions within the framework of a clinical trial. The study was randomized, double blind, double dummy and cross-over. Drug conditions were: a single oral dose of GHB (40 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg), ethanol (0.7 g/kg), flunitrazepam (1.25 mg) and placebo. Acute GHB produced a time-dependent immune impairment in the first 4 hours after drug administration associated with an increase in cortisol secretion. Although total leukocyte count remained unchanged, there was a significant decrease in the CD4 T/CD8 T-cell ratio, as well as in the percentage of mature T lymphocytes, probably because of a decrease in both the percentage and absolute number of T helper cells. A significant decrease was also observed in natural killer cells and in functional responsiveness of lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation. Flunitrazepam administration did not produce any change in the immune system, while ethanol intake produced a decrease in B lymphocytes and in lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogens. These results provide the first evidence that GHB intake under a controlled environmental setting impairs the immunological status and confirms the alterations in the immune function caused by ethanol. [source] An unusual association of pemphigus vulgaris with hyperprolactinemiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2002MNAMS, Sujay Khandpur MD A 21-year-old unmarried woman presented with oral ulcerations and generalized, itchy, fluid-filled, skin lesions of 10 days' duration. The lesions ruptured spontaneously, resulting in extensive denuded areas covered by crusts. One month prior to this, she experienced pain and enlargement of both breasts with galactorrhea. Her menstrual cycles were normal initially, but later she developed menstrual irregularities. No past history suggestive of any other systemic or skin disease, including atopy or drug allergies, could be obtained. Her family history was not contributory. Dermatologic examination revealed multiple, flaccid bullae and extensive denuded areas of skin covered with crusts over the scalp, face, trunk, and upper and lower limbs (Fig. 1). Bulla spread sign and Nikolsky's sign were positive. The oral mucosa, including the lips, buccal surface, tongue, and palate, showed multiple erosions covered with necrotic slough. The rest of the mucocutaneous and systemic examination was within normal limits. Figure 1. Extensive erosions and flaccid bullae over the trunk with breast enlargement The patient's diagnostic work-up revealed: hemoglobin, 11.2 g%; total leukocyte count, 7400/mm3; differential leukocyte count, P62L34E2M2; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 34 mm/h. A peripheral blood smear examination, urinalysis, blood sugar, and renal and liver function tests were normal. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were nonreactive. Antinuclear antibody, lupus erythematosus (LE) cell, rheumatoid factor, and anti-dsDNA levels were normal. Serum protein electrophoresis demonstrated increased levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. The serum prolactin level was significantly raised to 139.49 ng/mL (normal, 3.6,18.9 ng/mL). The sex hormone levels, however, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone, were within normal limits. The thyroid hormone profile was also unaltered. Chest X-ray was normal. Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis revealed no visceral abnormality and computerized tomography (CT) scan of the pituitary sella showed no adenoma. Mammography was negative for breast malignancy. A Tzanck smear prepared from the base of the erosion showed multiple acantholytic cells and lymphocytes. Histologic examination from an intact vesicle was suggestive of pemphigus vulgaris (PV), showing a suprabasal cleft with acantholytic cells and the basal layer demonstrating a "row of tombstones" appearance (Fig. 2). Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed the intercellular deposition of IgG and C3 throughout the epidermis in a "fishnet pattern." Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test performed on rat esophagus for circulating IgG antibody was positive in a titer of 1 : 120. Figure 2. Photomicrograph showing suprabasal cleft with "row of tombstones" appearance, suggestive of pemphigus vulgaris (hematoxylin and eosin, × 40) Based on the clinical and immunohistological features, a diagnosis of PV with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia was made. The patient was treated with bromocriptine mesylate (Tablet Proctinal, Glaxo Wellcome Ltd, India) at a dose of 2.5 mg twice a day. After 2 months of therapy, significant improvement in the skin lesions was observed. The existing lesions re-epithelialized with a drastic reduction in the number and distribution of new vesicles. However, no change in the mucosal erosions was noticed. IIF test demonstrated a lower antibody titer (1 : 40). The breast complaints also improved with a reduction in serum prolactin level to 6.5 ng/mL. The patient refused further treatment as she experienced nausea and dizziness with bromocriptine. After 2 weeks, the disease relapsed with the appearance of new vesicles over the forearms, abdomen, back, and thighs. She again complained of breast tenderness and galactorrhea, and the serum prolactin level was 95 ng/mL. The IgG titer increased to 1 : 120. Hence, treatment with oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) and bromocriptine (2.5 mg twice a day) with an antiemetic was initiated. After 6 weeks, the skin lesions had cleared completely, the breast symptoms had improved, menses had become regular, and the prolactin level had decreased to 4 ng/mL. IIF test was negative for circulating antibody. Steroids were tapered off and maintenance therapy with bromocriptine at a dose of 2.5 mg/day was continued. [source] Performance of a new separator system for routine autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell collection in small childrenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 6 2007Volker Witt Abstract The AMICUSÔ system was recently introduced for peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) aphereses in adults. We conducted a single center field evaluation to obtain data about the performance of this system in children with a body weight (bw) < 25 kg. Results of blood priming procedures were compared to historical data obtained with the Fenwal CS3000+ (CS 3000). From August, 2001 to February, 2007, 47/178 (26%) PBSC aphereses procedures were performed in our institution with the AMICUSÔ system in 35 small patients (median bw 13.9 kg; range 6.7,24; age 2.78 years; range 0.97,7.06). The patients suffered from various malignant primary diseases or recurrences. We primed the system with packed RBC in case of >30% dilution of the RBC volume (n = 31) or with saline (n = 16). Compared to the CS3000, the AMICUSÔ revealed comparable collection efficiencies (CE) for CD34+ cells (median 67%, range 26,120), lymphocytes (75%, 25,138), monocytes (54%, 23,173), and granulocytes (10%, 1.5,36), MNC (57% 24,125), but a significantly higher erythrocyte and granulocyte, and a lower platelet CE. There was a significant negative correlation between total leukocyte count and CE for MNC (r = ,0.566; P < 0.001) and CD34+ cells (r = ,0.517; P < 0.001). There was no significant statistical or clinical difference between the CE in blood-primed procedures and saline-primed procedures. With the AMICUSÔ we saw statistically less citrate reactions compared to the CS 3000. We conclude that the AMICUSÔ system is safe and efficient to harvest PBSC on a routine basis in pediatric patients, even in children ,10 kg bw. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Pleural fluid findings as prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesotheliomaJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2008Tanseli Efeoglu Gonlugur Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of pleural fluid glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, total protein, and total leukocyte levels in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive patients (33 men and 38 women) who were referred to the department of chest diseases in a university hospital. Pleural fluid glucose levels, the ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH>1.0, and total leukocyte count were significant predictors for the survival in univariate analysis. However, none of these variables emerged as statistically significant from the multivariate Cox model. In conclusion, our results showed that there is an inverse correlation between the intensity of inflammation and survival. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:334,336, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||