Browsing by Author "Bogdanović, A. (6603686934)"

Hepatosplenic candidiasis following granulocytopenic periods is a relatively recently recognised problem in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those with acute leukaemia. We present three patients in whom diagnosis of hepatosplenic candidiasis was suspected on the basis of ultrasonographic (US), computed tomographic (CT) findings and confirmed by laparoscopy and biopsy of liver lesions. All three patients were successfully treated briefly with amphotericin B, followed by a longer period of fluconazole. In one patient laparotomy and surgical evacuation of abscesses was performed. This condition could be more often recognised by careful follow-up of liver function test, C-reactive protein level, ultrasonography, CT and MRI after recovery from chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Hepatosplenic candidiasis following granulocytopenic periods is a relatively recently recognised problem in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those with acute leukaemia. We present three patients in whom diagnosis of hepatosplenic candidiasis was suspected on the basis of ultrasonographic (US), computed tomographic (CT) findings and confirmed by laparoscopy and biopsy of liver lesions. All three patients were successfully treated briefly with amphotericin B, followed by a longer period of fluconazole. In one patient laparotomy and surgical evacuation of abscesses was performed. This condition could be more often recognised by careful follow-up of liver function test, C-reactive protein level, ultrasonography, CT and MRI after recovery from chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Introduction: Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph−MPN) are characterized by overproduction of one or more blood cell lines. Methods: We studied the proliferative characteristics of 91 patients with de novo Ph−MPN. Colony-forming cells (CFC) and endogenous colonies (EC), from bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB), were analyzed by colony assay based on methylcellulose. The level of circulating CD34+ cells was determined by flow cytometry. Results: The total number of PB CFC in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) was increased compared to the control sample (P < 0.01) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) (P < 0.05). The highest number of BM and PB EC was observed in polycythemia vera (PV) (P < 0.01). Increased levels of CD34+ cells characterized early-prefibrotic (57%) and advanced-fibrotic PMF (90%) as compared to PV (34%) and ET (32%) (P < 0.01). In the whole Ph−MPN group, the total number of PB CFC (P < 0.01), PB EC (P < 0.05), and CD34+ cells (P < 0.01) correlated with the degree of BM fibrosis. Higher levels of circulating CD34+ cells in PMF correlated with the total number of PB EC (P < 0.05) and degree of BM fibrosis (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Exploration of the PB proliferative characteristics of Ph−MPN on diagnosis may be helpful in revealing early-prefibrotic PMF. Monitoring the levels of circulating CD34+ cells may provide a sensitive indicator of fibrotic evolution in PV and PMF. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Introduction: Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph−MPN) are characterized by overproduction of one or more blood cell lines. Methods: We studied the proliferative characteristics of 91 patients with de novo Ph−MPN. Colony-forming cells (CFC) and endogenous colonies (EC), from bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB), were analyzed by colony assay based on methylcellulose. The level of circulating CD34+ cells was determined by flow cytometry. Results: The total number of PB CFC in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) was increased compared to the control sample (P < 0.01) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) (P < 0.05). The highest number of BM and PB EC was observed in polycythemia vera (PV) (P < 0.01). Increased levels of CD34+ cells characterized early-prefibrotic (57%) and advanced-fibrotic PMF (90%) as compared to PV (34%) and ET (32%) (P < 0.01). In the whole Ph−MPN group, the total number of PB CFC (P < 0.01), PB EC (P < 0.05), and CD34+ cells (P < 0.01) correlated with the degree of BM fibrosis. Higher levels of circulating CD34+ cells in PMF correlated with the total number of PB EC (P < 0.05) and degree of BM fibrosis (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Exploration of the PB proliferative characteristics of Ph−MPN on diagnosis may be helpful in revealing early-prefibrotic PMF. Monitoring the levels of circulating CD34+ cells may provide a sensitive indicator of fibrotic evolution in PV and PMF. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Beta thalassemia major is rare in Serbia. Previously incurable, affected patients now live to adulthood with regular blood transfusions. The improvement in supportive treatment over recent decades has given rise to many more patients suffering from the associated metabolic complications of anaemia and iron overload, such as osteopenia and other skeletal changes. We present two patients with severe beta thalassemia major from early childhood, who encountered pathological long-bone fractures during the clinical course of their disease. One suffered a distal femoral diaphyseal fracture, and the second a distal tibia fracture. Both fractures occurred in osteopenic bone and were managed non-operatively due to the patients' general medical condition. Despite intense medical intervention, both patients died from disease progression within one year of their fractures, aged 23 and 24 years. As life expectancy rises it is anticipated that an increased number of beta thalassemia major patients will suffer pathological long-bone and other osteoporotic fractures. These fractures appear to both herald and contribute to a general clinical deterioration of this disease. Advances in stem-cell technology may hold the key for a definitive cure.