Henry E. Hamilton

Hemolysis of human erythrocytes by a sulfhydryl inhibitor, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid.

Conclusions 1. The sulfhydryl reagent, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, causes hemolysis of human erythrocytes. This action can be prevented by prior reaction with sulfhydryl groups. 2. The hemolytic action of PCMB is reversible by washing cells for as long as 30 minutes after contact with this agent. Reversibility of hemolysis lasts up to 60 minutes after addition of free sulfhydryl group. 3. No protection from PCMB hemolysis was noted with stroma whereas hemoglobin solution was effective. 4. The reaction between PCMB and the -SH group of erythrocytes is relatively slow. 5. A physiologic concentration of glucose offered no protection from hemolysis in this system.

A pesticide (dieldrin)-induced immunohemolytic anemia

The unusual presentation of a factory worker with severe hemolytic anemia which remitted following splenectomy prompted a search for an environmental cause for red cell injury. The investigation showed the presence of an immunoglobulin in the patients serum and on the red cells and small amounts of complement on red cells. The patients serum caused agglutination of a normal persons red cells only when dieldrin-coated, a reaction blocked by first reacting the serum with dieldrin. The spleen of the patient had a greater than normal concentration of dieldrin, the source of dieldrin being dietary. It is concluded that dieldrin became immunogenic and provoked a chemical immunohemolytic anemia. The spleen played a major role in destruction of red cells injured by the immunopathic process and in accumulation of the antigenic substance dieldrin.

The Epidemiology of Pesticides in a Rural Area

Abstract A random sample of 155 farmers was studied with respect to use of pesticides and to farming habits and products. Significant differences were found between the “high” and “low” pesticide use groups with respect to hematocrit, hemoglobin, and prothrombin time values. Significant correlations were obtained between the use of aldrin and blood uric acid values; atrazine and bilirubin, 1-minute and 30-minute values; benzene hexachloride and total blood chlorinated hydrocarbon residues; benzene hexachloride and urinary creatinine values; and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid herbicides and serum albumin values for the high pesticide use group. Significant correlations were found between the total pesticides employed by the high-use group and the blood uric acid and bilirubin 1-minute values. A significant negative correlation existed with respect to erythrocyte sedimentation rates. No significant correlations were obtained for the low-use group. The blood concentrations of pesticide residue were not pro...

Oxygen uptake of human erythrocytes in fresh and stored blood.

Summary The oxygen uptake of human whole blood is essentially the same whether sodium citrate or heparin is used as an anticoagulant. There is a significant difference between the oxygen uptake of the blood of men and women. A significant fluctuation was noted in the oxygen uptake of fresh blood from one person from day to day. The oxygen uptake of human blood stored in ACD solution rapidly decreases for 20 days then fluctuates for at least 60 more days in an erratic fashion.

An Idiopathic Factor VIII Anticoagulant: Resolution Following Plasmapheresis and Cytotoxic Therapy

A case is described in which plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy were employed to treat a patient with a spontaneously occurring idiopathic polyclonal immunoglobulin G factor VIII anticoagulant. The favorable response observed supports the usefulness of the described treatment methods for the acute and chronic management of acquired circulating factor VIII inhibitors.

The Many Faces of Megaloblastic Anemia

Megaloblastic anemias share a common feature—disordered DNA synthesis, most often resulting from deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12 or both. However, the cause of the anemias varies from pregnancy to poor nutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, cirrhosis, hemolytic anemias, drugs, fish tapeworms, orotic aciduria, erythroleukemia or long-term dialysis for uremia.

May-Hegglin Anomaly-Reply

Drs. Oski, Naiman, and Diamond quoted us correctly, that in our judgment there is no evidence of abnormal bleeding in these cases. We shall stand on our judgment and await further evidence. The platelet count of the proband was normal and was inadvertently omitted when the history was condensed. Estimation of the platelet count in other members of the family was made from the blood smear. The platelets were present in normal numbers.