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Splenic Function (splenic + function)

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Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Splenic function and IgM-memory B cells in Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 5 2008
Antonio Di Sabatino MD
Abstract Background: Under experimental chronic inflammation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, plays a role in damaging spleen marginal zone. This latter has a crucial function in mounting B cell-dependent immune responses against infections by encapsulated bacteria. In Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory disorder where TNF-, is centrally involved, impaired splenic function may increase the susceptibility to bacterial infections. On this basis, we aimed to investigate the influence of anti-TNF therapy on splenic function in CD patients. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 CD patients before and after treatment with infliximab administered at weeks 0, 2, and 6 at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Counting of erythrocytes with membrane abnormalities (pitted red cells) was used as an indicator of splenic function. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating B cells. Results: A substantial clinical improvement in 10 of the 15 CD patients was associated with a significant reduction of pitted red cells (from median 6.0% to 3.6%; P < 0.01) after 10 weeks of treatment. In responder patients the improvement of splenic function was accompanied by a parallel increase of circulating IgM-memory B cells (from median 6.9% to 13.3%; P < 0.005). Splenic function was not ameliorated in nonresponder patients. Conclusions: Splenic function improved in CD patients who responded to infliximab and was accompanied by a concomitant restoration of the IgM-memory B cell pool responsible for the protection against encapsulated bacteria. Restoration of splenic function after infliximab treatment is intriguing and requires further investigation. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source]

Partial splenic embolization in children with hereditary spherocytosis

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Barbara Pratl
Abstract Objectives:, Although total splenectomy is able to reduce clinical symptoms in patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS), splenectomized patients are at risk to develop overwhelming bacterial infections and, to a lesser extent, thromboembolic complications. In contrast, partial splenectomy or partial splenic embolization (PSE) may also decrease the rate of hemolytic complications while maintaining residual splenic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefit of PSE in children with moderate to severe HS. Patients and methods:, We performed PSE via retrograde transfemoral access in eight children (four female, four male) with moderate to severe HS at a median age of 8 yr. HS-related complications before PSE included gallstones in six and aplastic crises in four children. One patient was transfusion-dependent. Results:, No acute side effects were seen during or after PSE. Median hemoglobin increased significantly from levels between 7.5 g/dL and 11.65 g/dL before PSE to levels between 8.4 g/dL and 13.35 g/dL after PSE (P = 0.012). Median splenic sizes before PSE ranged from 9.7 cm/m2 to 19.0 cm/m2 and significantly decreased to values between 4.4 cm/m2 and 15.65 cm/m2 during follow-up (P = 0.012). Conclusions:, PSE appears to be a safe, effective and feasible treatment option for the management of children with moderate to severe HS. [source]

Splenic function and IgM-memory B cells in Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 5 2008
Antonio Di Sabatino MD
Abstract Background: Under experimental chronic inflammation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, plays a role in damaging spleen marginal zone. This latter has a crucial function in mounting B cell-dependent immune responses against infections by encapsulated bacteria. In Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory disorder where TNF-, is centrally involved, impaired splenic function may increase the susceptibility to bacterial infections. On this basis, we aimed to investigate the influence of anti-TNF therapy on splenic function in CD patients. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 CD patients before and after treatment with infliximab administered at weeks 0, 2, and 6 at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Counting of erythrocytes with membrane abnormalities (pitted red cells) was used as an indicator of splenic function. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating B cells. Results: A substantial clinical improvement in 10 of the 15 CD patients was associated with a significant reduction of pitted red cells (from median 6.0% to 3.6%; P < 0.01) after 10 weeks of treatment. In responder patients the improvement of splenic function was accompanied by a parallel increase of circulating IgM-memory B cells (from median 6.9% to 13.3%; P < 0.005). Splenic function was not ameliorated in nonresponder patients. Conclusions: Splenic function improved in CD patients who responded to infliximab and was accompanied by a concomitant restoration of the IgM-memory B cell pool responsible for the protection against encapsulated bacteria. Restoration of splenic function after infliximab treatment is intriguing and requires further investigation. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008) [source]