Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
White Blood Cells (white + blood_cell)
Kinds of White Blood Cells Terms modified by White Blood Cells Selected AbstractsSignificance of white blood cell count and its subtypes in patients with acute coronary syndromeEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 5 2009G. Huang Abstract Background, Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Materials and methods, Six hundred twenty-three patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) referred for coronary angiography for the first time in our hospital were enrolled in this study. White blood cell and its subtypes were measured on admission. The study population was divided into three groups based on total white blood cell count and followed up. Clinical end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including cardiogenic death, stroke, heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, rehospitalization for angina pectoris. Results, The median age was 68 years (range 31,92) and 64·2% of the patients were men. The median white blood cell count was 6·48 × 109 L,1 (range 2·34,27·10 × 109 L,1). The median follow-up duration was 21 months (range 1,116) and MACEs occurred in 167 patients. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that neutrophil count [Relative risk = 1·098, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1·010,1·193, P = 0·029) was a risk factor for MACEs. The logistic regression model revealed that lymphocyte count [Odds ratio (OR) = 1·075, 95% CI: 1·012,1·142, P = 0·018] and monocyte count (OR = 8·578, 95% CI: 2·687,27·381, P < 0·001) were predictive of stenosis , 75%; Neutrophil proportion (OR = 1·060, 95% CI: 1·007,1·115, P = 0·026), monocyte count (OR = 12·370, 95% CI: 1·298,118·761, P = 0·029) were predictive of the presence of multivessel disease. Kaplan,Meier analysis of short-term and long-term cumulative survival showed no significant statistical differences among three groups. Conclusions, Neutrophil count adds prognostic information to MACEs in ACS. Monocyte count and lymphocyte count are predictive of severity of coronary atherosclerosis. [source] Aging stability of complete blood count and white blood cell differential parameters analyzed by Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009P. HEDBERG Summary This study presents the results of an aging stability study of complete blood count (CBC) and leukocyte differential parameters using the Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer. Stability studies showed no substantial change in CBC parameters up to 24,48 h at +23 ± 2 °C (room temperature), except for optical platelet count (PLTo). For specimens aged over 24, the value of impedance platelet count yielded more reliable results than the routine PLTo. White blood cell (WBC) differential parameters, except eosinophils, were stable for up to 48 h at +23 ± 2 °C. CBC parameters were stable for 72 h, except mean platelet volume, which slightly increased between 48 and 72 h, at +4 °C. WBC differentials were stable 48,72 h, with a slight decrease observed in absolute neutrophils and lymphocytes at +4 °C. [source] Remission induction chemotherapy induces in vivo caspase-dependent apoptosis in bone marrow acute myeloid leukemia blast cells and spares lymphocytesCYTOMETRY, Issue 3 2006J.-P. Vial Abstract Background The goal of new therapeutic strategies is to adapt the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients to the prognostic and/or to the hematological response. Methods We analyzed in vivo apoptosis induction in blast cells and in lymphocytes of AML patients receiving remission induction treatment. Results We show, on 12 peripheral blood samples, that the increase of peripheral apoptotic blast cells cannot be considered as the earliest marker of the treatment efficiency, because the significant increase of apoptosis followed the white blood cell and the peripheral blast cell count reductions, probably due to an efficient clearance of circulating apoptotic cells. Furthermore, the study of 65 bone marrow samples at d15 showed that the treatment induced apoptosis of blast cells while sparing the lymphocytes. This apoptosis was evidenced both at the caspase and at the membrane levels using respectively fmk-VAD-FITC and Annexin V binding assays. We found that less than 50% of apoptosis, measured with the fmk-VAD-FITC, in the d15 residual bone marrow blast cells, correlated with lower disease-free survival probability. Conclusion More studies are needed in larger series and earlier during the remission induction treatment to confirm the possible prognostic significance of in vivo apoptosis induction. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology [source] Effect of gold nanoparticle on the microscopic morphology of white blood cellCYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009V. Wiwanitkit Background:, In medicine, there is limited knowledge on the toxicity of nanoparticles. In medicine, there has been limited knowledge on the effect of nanoparticles on the white blood cell. Objective:, To evaluate the effect of gold nanoparticle on the microscopic morphology of white blood cell. Setting:, Chulalongkorn Univesity, Bangkok, Thailand. Method:, This study was performed as an experimental study. Mixture of gold nanoparticle solution and blood sample was prepared and analysed. Result:, This work revealed that after mixing the blood sample with gold nanoparticle solution, accumulation of gold nanoparticle in the white blood cell was observed. Conclusion:, The effect of gold nanoparticle on the white blood cell can be detected and this knowledge can be used in cytotoxic drug treatment. [source] Ex vivo TCR-induced leukocyte gene expression of inflammatory mediators is increased in type 1 diabetic patients but not in overweight childrenDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 1 2010Jaime S. Rosa Abstract Background Abnormal systemic concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines have been implicated in the development of long-term cardiovascular complications in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and obesity. Whether leukocyte white blood cell (WBC) gene expression of these proinflammatory mediators contributes to their increased systemic levels, however, remains unclear, especially in the pediatric patient populations. This study examines mRNA changes of 9 cytokines and chemokines in WBCs following ex vivo immunostimulation from 9 T1DM (13.4 ± 0.5 year, 4F/5 M), 23 overweight (OW, 12.3 ± 0.5 year, 10F/13M, BMI% 97.1 ± 0.5 and > 90.0), and 21 healthy (CL, 13.8 ± 0.7 year, 9F/12 M, BMI% 59.6 ± 4.6 and < 85.0) children. Methods All subjects had been maintained in euglycemic conditions for at least 90 min before blood draws. Whole blood was then sampled and incubated with anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) antibody or heat-aggregated IgG (HAG) to stimulate T-cell and Fc receptors (FcR), respectively. After lysis of leukocytes, mRNA levels of six tumor necrosis factor superfamily cytokines (TNFSF2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14) and three chemokines (CCL8, 20, and CXCL10) were measured using RT-PCR. Results Following TCR stimulation, T1DM displayed significantly greater mRNA responses than CL for TNFSF5, 7, 9, and CCL8, and CXCL10; TNFSF9, CCL8, and CXCL10 were also significantly higher in T1DM than OW; no difference was observed between OW and CL. FcR stimulation induced similar responses across groups. Conclusions Leukocytes of T1DM children displayed exaggerated gene expression in response to ex vivo TCR induction of five key proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. This elevated leukocyte gene expression may be one of the pathophysiological contributors to the development of vascular complications in T1DM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Serum ,-glutamyltransferase within its normal concentration range is related to the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factorsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2005D.-J. Kim Abstract Aims Although many studies have reported an association between serum ,-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and cardiovascular risk factors, the mechanism of this relationship has not been clarified. Methods The medical records of 29 959 subjects (age, median 48, range 14,90 years; 16 706 men, 13 253 women) who visited the Center for Health Promotion at Samsung Medical Center for a medical check-up between January 2001 and December 2003, were investigated. Subjects with hepatic enzyme/GGT concentrations higher than three times the upper limit of the reference range, a positive test for hepatitis C virus antibody, a positive test for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, currently taking anti-diabetic/anti-hypertensive/anti-lipid medication, or a white blood cell (WBC) count higher than 10 000 cells/ml, were excluded. The subjects of each gender were classified into five groups according to their serum GGT concentrations, into quartiles of the normal range of GGT (groups 1, 2, 3 and 4) and into a group with elevated GGT (group 5). Results As the group number increased (group 1 , 5), the frequencies of all of the following increased: (i) diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG); (ii) hypertension, obesity (body mass index , 27 kg/m2), dyslipidaemia (LDL-cholesterol , 4.1 mmol/l and/or triglyceride , 2.46 mmol/l, or HDL-cholesterol < 1.16 mmol/l); (iii) metabolic syndrome. Moreover, these significant relationships between GGT concentrations within its normal range and the presence of diabetes/IFG, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome persisted after adjusting for several clinical and biochemical variables and for the presence of fatty liver based on ultrasonographic findings. Odds ratios (95% CI) for group 4 (highest quartile of normal range of GGT) vs. group 1 (lowest quartile of normal range of GGT); the referent group, were 3.16 (2.15,4.65) for diabetes, 2.24 (1.73,2.90) for IFG, 1.93 (1.59,2.33) for obesity, 1.38 (1.23,1.55) for dyslipidaemia and 2.88 (2.28,3.65) for metabolic syndrome in men. In women, the odds ratios were 2.72 (1.34,5.52), 3.67 (2.26,5.97), 2.10 (1.61,2.74), 1.80 (1.58,2.04) and 3.57 (2.52,5.07), respectively. Conclusions Our data show that, even within its normal range, serum GGT concentrations are closely associated with the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, and that these associations are independent of a fatty liver by ultrasonography. [source] Haematological reference values in Spanish adolescents: the AVENA studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Javier Romeo Abstract Objectives:, To provide reference values for haematological indices in Spanish adolescents according to age and gender. Methods:, A cross sectional study conducted in five Spanish cities was performed. Blood was drawn from a representative sample of 581 adolescents with age ranging from 13 to 17,18.5 yr. Age- and gender-specific means, standard deviations and percentiles were determined for the following parameters: total red blood cell counts (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit percentage (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width and total white blood cell (WBC) counts as well as counts and percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils; platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume and plateletcrit percentage. Results:, Younger male subjects presented lower RBC, Hb, Hct and MCV means that their older counterpart. By contrast these differences were not observed in female subjects. As expected, RBC, Hb and Hct mean values in males were found significantly higher than in girls for all studied age groups. No significant differences were observed in WBC by age and gender. PLT values gradually decreased with age, except for females aged 17,18.5 yr. Conclusion:, The present study provides reference data on the distribution of haematological indices of Spanish adolescents. These data can be useful biomarkers of the nutritional status in adolescents. [source] Disseminated cutaneous Fusarium moniliforme infections in a leukemic childINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Ching-Chi Chi MD A 5-year-old boy had a 10-month remission of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) after chemotherapy. Re-induction chemotherapy was performed for relapse of ALL. Thereafter, he suffered from an episode of neutropenic fever with pneumonia. One week following control of the condition with antibiotics, a 1 × 1-cm, red, painful nodule appeared on the left thigh, which was initially suspected to be Pseudomonas infection. Parenteral ceftazidime and amikacin were administered, but persistent high fever, mild cough, and a few painful erythematous papulonodules on the face and lower extremities appeared several days later (Fig. 1). These lesions increased insidiously in diameter up to 2,5 cm with central necrosis. Hemogram showed neutropenia with a shift to the left [white blood cell (WBC) count, 2.1 × 109/L; neutrophil count, 0.21 × 109/L]. A skin biopsy showed heavy growth of hyaline branching septate hyphae in the deep dermis and subcutis, together with fat necrosis (Fig. 2). Invasion of molds into vessels and sweat glands was also seen. A culture from a lesion yielded Fusarium moniliforme, but no fungi were isolated from blood specimens. Only mild infiltrations on bilateral lower lung fields were detected by chest roentgenography. The skin lesions gradually healed and the fever subsided 2 weeks after the initiation of therapy with amphotericin B 30 mg and itraconazole 200 mg daily. Figure 1. A few painful erythematous papulonodules appeared on the face and lower extremities Figure 2. Skin biopsy showed heavy growth of hyaline branching septate hyphae in the deep dermis and subcutis along with fat necrosis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400) Meanwhile, relapse of leukemia was detected by hemogram showing atypical leukocytosis (WBC count of 24,400 × 109/L, with blast cells representing 78%). A course of chemotherapy with cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and VP-16 was prescribed, subsequently resulting in neutropenia (WBC count, < 0.1 × 109/L; neutrophil count, 0/L) and spiking fever. Although the aforementioned antifungal therapy was continued, the centers of the originally healed lesions turned dusky red, swollen, necrotic, and ulcerative. There were more than 10 such ecthymiform lesions. After administration for 22 days, itraconazole was discontinued because of no appreciable effects. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) salvage was used, and the neutropenia gradually subsided 20 days later. In addition, the ecthymiform lesions gradually resolved. Amphotericin B was discontinued 1 week following neutrophil recovery. The patient died of Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia sepsis 8 months later. [source] Lymphocyte volume and conductivity indices of the haematology analyser Coulter® GEN.STM in lymphoproliferative disorders and viral diseasesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006M. SILVA Summary The haematology analyser Coulter® GEN.STM gives a set of data ,,positional parameters', defining white blood cell (WBC) populations by mean of index values (mean and standard deviation of volume, conductivity and scatter, used to identify the WBC populations). The volume and conductivity parameters related to the lymphocytes were analysed at diagnosis in patients suffering from chronic B-lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), other non-CLL lymphoproliferative disorders (OLPD) and viral diseases. The standard deviation of volume index (SDVI) is significantly higher in the three groups, whereas the mean volume index (MVI) is significantly lower in B-CLL, and increased in OLPD and viral diseases. These two groups could be distinguished by their mean conductivity index (MCI), which is significantly lower in viral disease group. Cut-offs were calculated for each parameter by the mean of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The study of the detection performances showed that the combination of lymphocyte count with SDVI, MVI and MCI could be used with a good sensitivity and specificity to discriminate between the most frequent lymphocyte pathologies, even in patients with normal lymphocyte count. [source] Significant differences between capillary and venous complete blood counts in the neonatal periodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2003S.M. Kayiran Summary The normal capillary and venous hematologic values for neonates have not been defined clearly. It is well known that capillary blood has higher hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) values than venous blood. In a recent study, we reported differences between capillary and venous complete blood counts (CBC) in healthy term neonates on day 1 of life. The aim of this study was to extend our previous investigation. Term neonates (n=141) were stratified into four groups by days of postnatal age: group 2 (day 7, n=38), group 3 (day 14, n=35), group 4 (day 21, n=32) and, group 5 (day 28, n=36). Data from our previous study were included in the statistical analysis as group 1 (day 1, n=95). A CBC and differential count were carried out on each capillary and venous sample drawn simultaneously. Within each group, the mean and standard deviation for each parameter in capillary and venous blood were calculated and then compared using the paired sample t -test. In all groups, the capillary blood samples had higher Hb, Hct, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and lymphocyte counts. In each group, venous platelet counts were significantly higher than the corresponding capillary values. There was also a trend toward higher venous mean corpuscular volume, higher capillary polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PML) count and mean platelet volume in all groups. In both capillary and venous blood, Hb, Hct, RBC, MCV values and WBC, lymphocyte, PML counts decreased and platelet counts increased steadily during neonatal period. This study reveals that CBC parameters and differential counts may differ depending on the blood sampling used. The findings underline the importance of considering the sample source when using hematologic reference ranges for healthy or septic neonates. When interpreting results, the term ,peripheral blood' should be replaced with ,capillary blood' or ,venous blood' so that an accurate assessment can be made. [source] S100A8/A9: A Potential New Diagnostic Aid for Acute AppendicitisACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010John F. Bealer MD Abstract Objectives:, Diagnosing acute appendicitis is a daunting clinical challenge, as there is no single test that reliably distinguishes acute appendicitis from other etiologies of acute abdominal pain. In this study, the authors examined whether circulating levels of S100A8/A9 could be useful as a marker to aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods:, Plasma samples from emergency department (ED) patients with acute abdominal pain (n = 181) were tested using an immunoassay for S100A8/A9. Results:, The sensitivity and specificity for S100A8/A9 in diagnosing acute appendicitis were estimated to be 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 81% to 97%) and 54% (95% CI = 45% to 62%), respectively. Negative predictive value (NPV) was 96% (95% CI = 89% to 99%), and positive predictive value (PPV) was 37% (95% CI = 28% to 47%). Performance characteristics of elevated white blood cell (WBC) count were also estimated: sensitivity 63% (95% CI = 47% to 76%), specificity 67% (95% CI = 59% to 75%), NPV 86% (95% CI = 78% to 91%), and PPV 36% (95% CI = 26% to 47%). Conclusions:, This is the first report exploring the relationship between circulating S100A8/A9 and acute appendicitis and establishes proof of concept for this biomarker as a diagnostic test for acute appendicitis. Further studies are indicated to optimize the use of this biomarker, in conjunction with other established approaches. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:333,336 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine [source] Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and immature reticulocytes evaluations in mobilization process: new parameters measured by conventional blood cell counterJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2006J.F.A. Noronha Abstract Monitoring the timing of leukapheresis in peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilization is an important clinical decision that requires an accurate analytical tool. The present study assessed hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) counts provided by a routine automated blood counter as potential parameters for predicting the appropriate time for harvesting. The HPC and IRF values were compared with white blood cell (WBC) and CD34+ cell counts obtained by flow cytometry in 30 adult patients with hematological malignancies undergoing PBSC mobilization. It was observed that there was a significant correlation between HPC counts and CD34+ cells in peripheral blood counts (r=0.61, P=0.0003) and between the number of HPC and CD34+cells collected by leukapheresis (r=0.5733, P=0.0009). Comparing HPC, IRF, WBC, and CD34+ cells parameters as a sign of hematological recovery showed that the raise in immature reticulocytes counts preceded the increase of WBC (P=0.0002), HPC (P=0.0001), and CD34+ (P=0.0001) cells in peripheral blood counts. According to our results, HPC and IRF parameters may be integrated into clinical protocols to evaluate the timing of leukapheresis. IRF, as previously demonstrated in bone marrow transplantation, is the earliest sign of hematopoietic recovery in mobilization process. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:149,153, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Automatic analysis of normal bone marrow blood cells using the XE-2100 automated hematology analyzerJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2003Hisako Shibata Abstract The bone marrow aspiration test conventionally has been performed by visual methods, using a light microscope, because automatic blood cell analyzers cannot adequately capture erythroblasts and immature granulocytes (IGs) (Tatsumi et al.: Osaka City Med J 1988;34:135,146; Tatsumi et al.: Am J Clin Pathol 1986;86:50,54). With the development of the XE-2100 automatic blood cell analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) in 1999, the classification of erythroblasts and IGs by means of flow cytometry (Zini et al.: Infus Ther Transfus Med 2001;28:277,279; Briggs et al.: Sysmex J Int 1999;9:113,119) became possible. In the present study we classified cells in 65 bone marrow aspiration specimens by the microscopic method and with the XE2100, and compared the results. A good correlation was found in the nucleated red blood cell (NRBC), white blood cell (WBC), and total nucleated cell (TNC) counts; the myeloid/erythroid ratio (M/E ratio); neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and IGs in the immature myeloid information (IMI) channel; and the total cell count. These items can all be analyzed in about 54 sec with the XE2100, which is faster than with the microscopic method. Therefore, analysis of bone marrow aspiration specimens with this apparatus appears to be very useful for clinical screening as well as laboratory testing. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 17:12,17, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Accelerated stability model for predicting shelf-lifeJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2002Robert T. Magari Abstract Second- and higher-order degradation reactions sometimes cannot be approximated with linear or exponential relationships and need to be appropriately modeled. Events above the COULTER® HmX Analyzer white blood cell (WBC) counting threshold were recorded for the HmX PAK reagent system stored at five elevated temperatures. An accelerated stability model for a second-degree polynomial degradation pattern was used. The shelf-life of the reagent, along with 95% lower bound confidence intervals, is predicted using the same pattern of degradation as well as the Arrhenius approximation. Experiments indicated that the degradation of the HmX PAK reagent occurred in two phases, the lag phase and the degradation phase, in all tested temperatures. The phase durations are temperature-dependent, and the Arrhenius approximation is appropriate (P=0.639). The degradation of the reagent during the lag phase was experimentally undetectable. Changes of the reagent were nonsignificant for a predicted period of 164 days at 25°C. The rate of degradation increased significantly later on during the degradation phase. The lower bound of the 95% confidence interval of this prediction indicated that it would take at least 326 days before the HmX PAK reagent would have any performance issue related to aging at storage temperature. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 16:221,226, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neonatal C-reactive protein value in prediction of Outcome of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: Comparison of Singleton and Twin PregnanciesJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2009Simin Taghavi Abstract Aim:, The clinical importance of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is its relationship to maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, especially in twin pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the role of inflammatory factors as predictors of the PPROM outcome between singleton and twin pregnancies. Methods:, The medical records of 22 twins delivered between 28 and 34 weeks and complicated by PPROM were reviewed at the Al-Zahra Hospital in Tabriz, Iran. Also among singletons, 55 cases of matched gestational age were randomly selected as a control group. Three laboratory indices of neonatal white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the two groups were measured immediately after delivery and the effects of two factors on neonatal outcome were assessed. Results:, In singletons, there was adverse relationship between the mean of WBC count and duration of latency (P = 0.007). Also, a positive relationship between the means of ventilation time and WBC count in second twins was found (P = 0.034). Positive CRP was the main predictor of neonatal intensive care unit admission in both singletons (odds ratio: 4.929, P = 0.042) and first twins (odds ratio: 9.000, P = 0.005). However, positive CRP did not influence the existence of metabolic acidosis or duration of latency in either of the two groups. Conclusion:, Neonatal WBC count was a predictor for the duration of latency in singletons and for ventilation time in twins. Positive neonatal CRP was an important factor for the prediction of neonatal intensive care unit admission in both types of pregnancy; its role in twins is clearer than in singletons. [source] Comparison of maternal and cord blood nucleated red blood cell count between pre-eclamptic and healthy womenJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2007Bibi Shahnaz Aali Abstract Aim:, The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-eclampsia on the cord and maternal nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count. Methods:, Immediately after delivery, 1 mL of maternal venous blood and 1 mL of cord blood from 50 pre-eclamptic and 150 healthy pregnant women were collected separately in tubes containing 1.5 mg ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid. Blood smears were prepared and stained using the Giemsa method. The number of NRBC per 100 leukocytes in maternal and cord blood was counted and compared between the two groups using SPSS software package for Windows. Any correlation of the NRBC count in maternal and umbilical cord blood was also evaluated. P -values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results:, The mean (±SD) NRBC per 100 white blood cell (WBC) level in cord blood of newborns in the pre-eclamptic group (18.2 ± 31.8, range 0,142) was significantly greater than in the control group (6.2 ± 8.1, range 0,36). Low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction showed a statistically significant relationship with abnormal NRBC count in pre-eclamptic patients. A significant correlation was found between the maternal and cord blood NRBC count in the pre-eclamptic group. Conclusion:, Fetal response to utero,placental insufficiency in pre-eclampsia leads to elevated NRBC in the cord blood, particularly in the presence of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction. The positive correlation between maternal and cord blood NRBC counts in pre-eclamptic patients indicates that maybe the hypoperfused placenta plays a role in the correlated alteration of the maternal and fetal NRBC count. [source] Use of oseltamivir in the treatment of canine parvoviral enteritisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2010DACVECC, Michelle R. Savigny DVM Abstract Objective , To determine if oseltamivir with standard therapy for canine parvoviral enteritis ameliorates disease morbidity, mortality, or both; to document significant adverse effects associated with its use. Design , Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting , University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals , Thirty-five dogs. Interventions , Standard therapy was administered to all dogs. Treatment dogs also received oseltamivir, while control dogs received an equivalent volume of placebo. Measurements and Main Results , Dogs were monitored daily according to a clinical scoring system, physical parameters, and diagnostic evaluations. Dogs in the treatment group gained a significant percentage of weight during hospitalization (mean, +2.6%; SD, 7.1%) versus the control dogs (mean, ,4.5%; SD, 6.9%) (P=0.006). Treatment dogs did not have any significant changes in their white blood cell (WBC) count, while control dogs experienced a significant drop in their WBC counts during their initial stay. In addition, it did not appear that oseltamivir use was associated with any major adverse clinical effects. Conclusions , While a clear advantage to the use of oseltamivir was not established, a significant weight loss during hospitalization, as well as a significant decrease in WBC count were documented in the control group. No major adverse effects were identified that could be associated with oseltamivir administration. Based on these results, the true role of oseltamivir in the treatment of parvoviral enteritis remains speculative, although it is believed that further investigation is warranted. [source] Principles of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Apheresis in a Preclinical Canine Model of Hematopoietic Cell TransplantationJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008M. Lupu Background: Preclinical studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transplantation conducted in a well-established canine hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) model have been successfully translated to human patients over the past 5 decades. Objective: We retrospectively investigated the safety and feasibility of PBMC apheresis in the canine model of HCT by analyzing apheresis parameters, cell yields, and the impacts of donor-related and apheresis-related variables on collection yields and donor stability. Animals: One hundred and twenty dogs that underwent PBMC aphereses were evaluated. Methods: Aphereses were performed with a COBE Spectra blood separator and a central dual-lumen catheter, with or without recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcG-CSF) stem cell mobilization. Results: Aphereses from dogs not given rcG-CSF yielded an average volume of 280 ± 42 mL containing an average of 15,086 ± 9,834 leukocytes/mL. Aphereses from dogs given rcG-CSF yielded an average volume of 261 ± 55 mL containing an average of 39,711 ± 24,488 leukocytes/mL. Higher pre-apheresis white blood cell (WBC) counts correlated with higher apheresis WBC yields (R=0.50, P<.0001). The correlations of collection time, inlet volume, and collection flow rate on WBC yields were statistically significant but only weak to moderate in magnitude (R=0.34, P=.0001; R=0.38, P=.0006; R=0.26, P=.002, respectively) as were the correlations of collection time and inlet volume on collection volumes (R=0.30, P=.002; R=0.42, P<.0001, respectively). All dogs recovered promptly after PBMC aphereses and catheter removal, without complications. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data may be useful for translating PBMC apheresis technology to the field of veterinary oncology for the treatment of dogs with hematologic malignancies. [source] Peripheral blood picture following mild head trauma in childrenPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008Bulent Alioglu Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in peripheral white blood cell, and differential counts following mild head trauma in a pediatric population. Methods: Fifty-one patients (mean age, 79 ± 62 months) with mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 15) who were admitted to the emergency department, were studied. Two blood specimens were collected from each patient, one on arrival and one after 24 h at the emergency department. Complete blood count was performed using a hemocytometer and the absolute cell counts for each sample were calculated after examination of peripheral smear. Results: No patient developed any complication during the hospital stay or after discharge. Significant differences were found for white blood cell, neutrophil, and immature cell counts just after and 24 h after trauma (P = 0.047, 0.039 and 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: Mild head trauma may cause an increase in white blood cell, neutrophil and band counts in children just after trauma. In a child with a mild head trauma, who is asymptomatic, with GCS score of 15 and absence of risk factors, and without clinical deterioration, complete blood cell count may be omitted from laboratory workup. But a prospective randomized study comparing mild head trauma patients with good and bad clinical outcome is needed to draw a definite conclusion. [source] Serum regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted concentrations and eosinophils in respiratory syncytial virus infectionPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2006YUKIHIKO KAWASAKI Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to characterize respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. To do this, the authors evaluated eosinophil counts and chemokines including regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) in children with RSV, adenoviral, and influenza virus infections. Methods: The authors enrolled 80 patients who had been diagnosed with acute viral respiratory infection caused by RSV, adenoviral, or influenza viruses. In total, 35 patients (Group A) had RSV infection, 18 (Group B) had adenoviral infection, and 27 (Group C) had influenza virus infection. The authors evaluated clinical manifestations, white blood cell and eosinophil counts, and serum chemokines including RANTES concentrations in the acute and recovery phases in each group. Results: In recovery phase, eosinophil counts were higher in Group A than Groups B and C. In Group A, eosinophil counts were higher in recovery phase than in the acute phase. In Group A, serum RANTES concentration was significantly higher in the recovery phase than in the acute phase (132 ± 76 pg/mL vs 52 ± 25 pg/mL, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that high values of RANTES in children with RSV infection may be associated with the presence of eosinophils and be an important mediator of inflammatory response. [source] Evaluation of 80 children with prolonged feverPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2003Ozgur Cogulu Abstract Background:,Several studies have been published regarding the etiology and evaluation of a child with prolonged fever, however, the reasons for the prolonged fever have changed during the years. The present study aims to determine the causes of prolonged fever, to investigate the relationship of fever using some basic laboratory tests, and to establish guidelines for the approach in those children. Methods:,The charts of 80 out of 17 490 hospitalized children who were seen between 1996 and 2001 with prolonged fever of longer than 2 weeks and unknown origin were reviewed in the university hospital of Izmir, Turkey. Their charts were evaluated in respect of age, sex, growth curves, educational level of their families, the duration and the magnitude of fever, causes of fever, and basic laboratory investigations such as white blood cell, blood smear, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Results:,Forty-four (55.00%) were boys and 36 (45.00%) were girls. Forty-four children (55.00%) were aged between 1 month and 2 years, 21 (26.25%) were aged 3,6 years, seven (8.75%) were aged 7,10 years, and eight (10.00%) were older than 10 years. The mean age was 3.87 ± 4.17 years (range 3 months,17 years). Forty-six children (57.50%) had a prolonged fever that had lasted from 15,30 days, 18 (22.50%) from 31,60 days, and 16 (20.00%) had fever lasting more than 60 days. Final diagnosis had been reached in 70 of the 80 children (87.50%). The most common causes were infection (47/80), followed by immune deficiency (6/80), collagen tissue disorder (5/80), neoplasia (2/80), and miscellaneous (10/80) such as central fever in three, diabetes insipidus in two, familial Mediterranean fever in two, Kawasaki disease, foreign body in the respiratory system, and Crohn disease in one patient each. Among the laboratory tests white blood cell count, hemoglobin level and blood smear distribution of infection group were statistically significant. Conclusions:,The most common cause of fever of unknown origin remains infection. The proportion of collagen tissue disorders and neoplasia have been found to be decreased. Unusual reasons such as diabetes insipidus and foreign body in the respiratory system in the miscellaneous group have been detected. Age plays important role in the diagnosis of prolonged fever, while some basic laboratory tests might give clues in the evaluation and may suggest a diagnosis. [source] Myeloprotective effect of short-course high-dose methylprednisolone treatment before consolidation therapy in children with acute myeloblastic leukemiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Selin Aytaç Elmas Abstract In our previous studies, short-course high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) has been shown to shorten the chemotherapy-induced neutropenic period by stimulating the CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells in children with acute leukemia. In this study, we investigate the role of short-course HDMP on induction of a myeloprotective effect when administered before consolidation therapy consisting of high-dose cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin. Thirty-four consecutive newly diagnosed children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) who received 64 courses of consolidation regimen were entered into the study. The patients received HDMP (group A) at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone starting 4 days before the initiation of consolidation therapy. The control group did not receive HDMP (group B). There were no differences in the white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) between group A (at day ,4) and group B (at day 0) at the beginning of the study (medians: 3 × 109/L vs. 3.2 × 109/L and 1.5 × 109/L vs. 1.7 × 109/L, respectively). The WBC count increased significantly from 3 × 109/L to 6.4 × 109/L, and ANC increased from 1.5 × 109/L to 3.9 × 109/L after 4 days of HDMP treatment in group A (P < 0.01). Following high-dose chemotherapy, the median values of WBC and ANC also remained higher than the control values during the 16 days of the follow-up period. The neutropenic period was significantly shorter in the HDMP group than in the control group (9 ± 5.2 days vs. 22 ± 4.7 days) (P < 0.05). The duration of hospitalization and the interval between two chemotherapy cycles were significantly decreased in group A when compared group B (9 ± 2.7 vs. 14 ± 2.7 days; 22 ± 4.7 vs. 26 ± 4.2 days, respectively) (P < 0.05). Moreover, following consolidation therapy, the number of patients with ANC values below 0.5 × 109/L was lower in group A when compared the group B. In conclusion, the administration of short-course (4 days) HDMP before high-dose chemotherapy has been found to be beneficial for reducing the duration and severity of neutropenia. Further studies with short-course HDMP are required to evaluate its myeloprotective effects in patients with other malignancies. Am. J. Hematol. 80:1,5, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effect of Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract on blood glucose in non-insulin dependent diabetic patientsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2001Mainen J. Moshi Abstract The glycaemic response to 124.5,±,9.3 (mean,±,SD),g of pancakes was monitored in 21 non-insulin dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients while on oral hypoglycaemics, after a 1-week washout period and after a 1-week twice daily treatment with 100,mL of an aqueous extract from 12.5,g of powdered aerial parts of Phyllanthus amarus. After the 1-week washout period, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose increased significantly compared with treatment on oral hypoglycaemics (,p,<,0.05). After a 1-week herbal treatment no hypoglycaemic activity was observed. Both FBG and postprandial blood glucose remained very similar to that recorded after the washout period (,p,>,0.05). Both liver and renal functions based on alanine transaminase (ALAT) and serum creatinine, respectively, were not significantly affected by the use of the extract. Although the lymphocyte and monocyte levels were significantly decreased (,p,<,0.05) and the granulocyte level was significantly increased after treatment (,p,<,0.05) the overall total white blood cell (WBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) were not significantly affected by the 1 week herbal treatment. We conclude that 1 week treatment with the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus was incapable of lowering both FBG and postprandial blood glucose in untreated NIDDM patients. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Positive reinforcement training affects hematologic and serum chemistry values in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Susan P. Lambeth Abstract Positive reinforcement training (PRT) techniques have received considerable attention for their stress reduction potential in the behavioral management of captive nonhuman primates. However, few published empirical studies have provided physiological data to support this position. To address this issue, PRT techniques were used to train chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to voluntarily present a leg for an intramuscular (IM) injection of anesthetic. Hematology and serum chemistry profiles were collected from healthy chimpanzees (n=128) of both sexes and various ages during their routine annual physical examinations over a 7-year period. Specific variables potentially indicative of acute stress (i.e., total white blood cell (WBC) counts, absolute segmented neutrophils (SEG), glucose (GLU) levels, and hematocrit (HCT) levels) were analyzed to determine whether the method used to administer the anesthetic (voluntary present for injection vs. involuntary injection) affected the physiological parameters. Subjects that voluntarily presented for an anesthetic injection had significantly lower mean total WBC counts, SEG, and GLU levels than subjects that were involuntarily anesthetized by more traditional means. Within-subjects analyses revealed the same pattern of results. This is one of the first data sets to objectively demonstrate that PRT for voluntary presentation of IM injections of anesthetic can significantly affect some of the physiological measures correlated with stress responses to chemical restraint in captive chimpanzees. Am. J. Primatol. 68:245,256, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The limit of leucocytospermia from the microbiological viewpointANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2003Margus Punab Summary. The aim of the study was to find out the correlation between white blood cell (WBC) counts in semen and quantitative composition of seminal microflora, and to establish the minimum WBC count associated with significant bacteriospermia. The research included 159 men with different WBC counts in their semen, 84 of them with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Semen samples were cultivated quantitatively for detecting anaerobic, microaerophilic and aerobic bacteria. Bryan-Leishman stained slides were used for detecting WBC in semen. Seminal fluid was colonized by eight different microorganisms, and the total count of microorganisms in semen ranged from 102 to 107 CFU ml,1. A high frequency of anaerobic microorganisms was found. A positive correlation was observed between the WBC count and the number of different microorganisms, and also between the WBC count and the total count of microorganisms in semen sample. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the WHO-defined WBC cut-off point (1 × 106 WBC ml,1) has very low sensitivity for discriminating between patients with and without significant bacteriospermia, as a more optimal sensitivity/specificity ratio appears at 0.2 × 106 WBC ml,1 of semen. The quantitative microbiological finding of semen in the patients of National Institute of Health (NIH) categories IIIa and IV was very similar, i.e. a high number of different microorganisms and a high total count of microorganisms. In the control group (without leucocytospermia and prostatitis symptoms) both parameters were significantly lower. [source] Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Outpatient Pediatric Heart Transplant RecipientsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009Shan Yin MD Abstract Objectives:, The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in febrile outpatient pediatric heart transplant recipients and to assess the utility of using white blood cell (WBC) indices to identify patients at low risk for bacteremia. Methods:, A retrospective study was conducted on all heart transplant recipients followed at a single children's hospital. All outpatient visits from January 1, 1995, to June 1, 2007, in which fever was evaluated were reviewed. Patients with history of a primary immunodeficiency, receiving concurrent chemotherapy, or having had a stem cell or small bowel transplant were excluded. Demographic, historical, physical examination, laboratory, and radiographic data were then recorded. Results:, Sixty-nine patients had 238 individual episodes of fever evaluation; of these, 217 (91.2%) had blood cultures drawn with results available in their initial evaluation. There were six (2.8%) true-positive blood cultures and eight (3.7%) false-positive cultures. Chest radiography was done in 185 evaluations (77.8%), and 44 episodes of pneumonia (23.8%) were diagnosed. Of 112 urine cultures done, one (0.9%) was positive. Neither of two lumbar punctures performed were positive. In non,ill-appearing children without indwelling central lines or focal bacterial infections (pneumonia, cellulitis), the incidence of bacteremia was 1.2%. In children with a focal bacterial infection, the rate of bacteremia was 6.3%. WBC indices were not significantly different between bacteremic and nonbacteremic patients. A band-to-neutrophil ratio (BNR) of ,0.25 and a published guideline for identifying low-risk infants using WBC indices identified all bacteremic patients, each with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 48% to 100% and 54% to 100%, respectively). Conclusions:, The incidence of bacteremia was low in febrile, outpatient pediatric heart transplant patients, especially in those who were not ill-appearing and did not have a focus of serious infection. Two different low-risk criteria performed well in identifying the bacteremic patients, although given the low number of true-positive cultures, the CIs for the sensitivities of these tests were extremely wide, and neither test could be reliably used at present. A prospective multicenter study is required to confirm the low incidence of bacteremia and low-risk criteria in this population. [source] In vivo immunomodulatory effects of dietary purple sweet potato after immunization in chickenANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Hamza HANIEH ABSTRACT This study was intended to determine the modulatory effects of dietary supplementation of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batats Poir., PSP) on the immune response of chickens. PSP was included in a basal starter diet by 1% (PSPL) or 3% (PSPH) and continually fed. Newcastle disease (NDV) vaccine, Brucella abortus (BA) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were used for chicken immunization. Antibody titers against these antigens were used to estimate humoral immunity. Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced proliferations of splenocytes, thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), ratios of CD4- and CD8-single positive and CD4-CD8-double negative (DN) cells in splenocytes, were both used to indicate cellular immunity. Relative weights of spleen, thymus and bursa and white blood cell (WBC) counts were studied. PSPH increased anti-NDV (P < 0.05), anti-BA (P < 0.01) and anti-SRBC titers (P < 0.05) in response to secondary immunization, whereas PSPL increased titers of anti-BA (P < 0.05) and anti-SRBC (P < 0.01). Proliferations of splenocytes and thymocytes were augmented with PSPL (P < 0.05). PSPH -treated chickens had lower (P < 0.05) ratios of CD4-sigle positive lymphocytes. Proliferation of PBL, weights of lymphoid organs and WBC counts were not affected. These results suggest that dietary PSP supplementation could enhance the immune response after immunization in chickens. [source] White Blood Cell Count and the Occurrence of Silent Ischemia after Myocardial InfarctionANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003gorzata Kurpesa Background: Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Attempts are made to use markers of inflammation as prognostic factors in coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. The correlation between inflammation and silent postinfarction ischemia is unknown. Methods: The study population consists of 104 asymptomatic patients who had uncomplicated Q-wave myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to the enrollment. After the white blood cell (WBC) count was assessed, the population was divided into two groups: group I comprising 48 patients with WBC , 7.0 × 103/,l and group II comprising 56 patients with WBC > 7.0 × 103/,l. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring was performed to detect the presence of silent ischemia. Results: Eighty-eight silent ischemic episodes were recorded. Ischemia on Holter monitoring was detected in 47 patients (84%) from group II and in five patients (9%) in group I (P < 0.01). We have found a significant positive correlation between WBC count and the number of ischemic episodes (r = 0.25), their maximal amplitude (r = 0.39), duration (r = 0.34), and total ischemic burden (r = 0.36). In multivariate analysis leucocytosis proved to be the only parameter independently correlated with the presence of silent ischemia. Conclusion: Postinfarction asymptomatic patients with increased WBC count are more likely to have residual ischemia. [source] Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants in the Post,Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine EraACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 7 2009Sherri L. Rudinsky MD Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to identify the epidemiology of serious bacterial infections (SBI) and the current utility of obtaining routine complete blood counts (CBC) and blood cultures to stratify infants at risk of SBI, in the study population of febrile infants in the post,heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) era. Methods:, A cohort study with nested case-controls was undertaken at a tertiary care military hospital emergency department (ED) from December 2002 through December 2003. Irrespective of clinical findings at the initial encounter, patients were included if they were under 3 months of age and had a home or ED temperature of ,100.4°F or if they were between 3 and 24 months of age with a temperature of ,102.3°F. Data abstracted included age, temperature, peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count, and discharge diagnosis. Culture (blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) and chest radiograph (CXR) results were obtained through review of the electronic hospital archives. SBI was defined as pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), meningitis, or bacteremia. Results:, A total of 985 children aged 0 to 24 months were enrolled. Fifty-five percent were male, the median age was 12 months (interquartile range = 8,17 months), and 79% had received at least one PCV7. A total of 132 cases of SBI were identified in 129 infants (13.1%): 82 pneumonias, 45 UTI, five bacteremias, and no cases of bacterial meningitis. The frequency of bacteremia was 0.7%. No statistical difference was detected in the WBC count between the SBI and non-SBI groups (13.8 ± 5.8 and 11.7 ± 5.6, respectively; p = 0.055). No readily available WBC cutoff on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve proved to be an accurate predictor of SBI. No statistical difference was detected in mean temperature between the SBI and non-SBI groups (103.3 ± 1.2 and 103.2 ± 1.2°F, respectively; p = 0.26), nor was there a difference noted when groups were broken down by age or height of fever. Conclusions:, The WBC count and height of fever were not found to be accurate predictors of SBI in infants age 3 to 24 months. UTI and pneumonias made up the vast majority of SBI in this population of infants. The overall bacteremia frequency was well below 1%. This calls into question the continued utility of obtaining routine complete cell counts and blood cultures in the febrile infant in the post-PCV7 era. [source] Effects of the probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, on the growth performance, haematology parameters and immunoglobulin concentration in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fingerlingAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2009Mohammed Abdullah Al-Dohail Abstract This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, on the growth performance, haematology parameters and immunoglobulin concentration in African catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerling. Two experimental diets were formulated to contain 35 g kg,1 crude protein and 10 g kg,1 lipids accordingly and fed three times daily for 12 weeks to 25 C. gariepinus fingerlings per fibreglass tank in 12 replicates each. The control diet was prepared with no probiotic supplementation whereas the second diet was prepared supplemented with a probiotic, L. acidophilus, containing about 3.01 × 107 colonies/g of diet. The results show that growth performance [specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR)], nutrient utilization [protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)] and survival were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fish maintained on the probiotic-supplemented diet compared with those on the control diet. Haematology parameters (packed cell volume, haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, red blood cell and white blood cell, total serum protein, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl,, glucose and cholesterol) and total immunoglobulin concentrations were also significantly better in fish fed the probiotic-supplemented diet than in the control. Although the water quality parameters monitored were better in the fish fed the probiotic-supplemented diet than in the control, the parameters were not significantly different (P>0.05). From the results of this experiment, we conclude that L. acidophilus can be used as a probiotic agent in African catfish culture, to enhance fish health, survival and better feed efficiency and growth performance. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||