Tadanobu Chinzei

Noninvasive monitoring of hemoglobin. The effects of WBC counts on measurement.

The efficacy of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring device (Astrin, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) was evaluated for healthy volunteers and for patients with hematologic disorders. At the same time, the effects of WBC counts on noninvasive monitoring were studied by clinical evaluation and in ex vivo experiments. The hemoglobin levels determined by the device (Ast-Hb) and a conventional analyzer (T-Hb) were compared. The coefficient of correlation between findings with the Ast-Hb and the T-Hb for healthy volunteers was r = 0.626, whereas that for patients with hematologic disorders was r = 0.762. A comparison of the ratios of measurement errors in hemoglobin levels by Ast-Hb and T-Hb indicated that the number of WBCs had no effect on hemoglobin monitoring. Moreover, ex vivo studies using isolated WBCs and an optical model that imitates blood vessels and tissue in human fingers confirmed these results. Therefore, this new hemoglobin monitoring device can be expected to be useful for continuous hemoglobin monitoring.

Noninvasive Monitoring of Hemoglobin

The efficacy of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring device (Astrim, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) was evaluated for healthy volunteers and for patients with hematologic disorders. At the same time, the effects of WBC counts on noninvasive monitoring were studied by clinical evaluation and in ex vivo experiments. The hemoglobin levels determined by the device (Ast-Hb) and a conventional analyzer (T-Hb) were compared. The coefficient of correlation between findings with the Ast-Hb and the T-Hb for healthy volunteers was r = 0.626, whereas that for patients with hematologic disorders was r = 0.762. A comparison of the ratios of measurement errors in hemoglobin levels by Ast-Hb and T-Hb indicated that the number of WBCs had no effect on hemoglobin monitoring. Moreover, ex vivo studies using isolated WBCs and an optical model that imitates blood vessels and tissue in human fingers confirmed these results. Therefore, this new hemoglobin monitoring device can be expected to be useful for continuous hemoglobin monitoring.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia accompanied by chromosomal abnormality of translocation (12;17)

This report concerns a female patient with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with concomitant expression of CD13 and CD33. A rare chromosomal abnormality, t(2;17)(p13:q21), was detected in 70% of metaphases analyzed. A new subgroup of acute leukemia is proposed, consisting of our case and 12 reported cases with similar chromosomal abnormalities. This subgroup has a poor prognosis and a high incidence of biphenotypic characteristics.

Rituximab combined with a small dose of melphalan for a refractory follicular lymphoma patient

A 48-year-old male patient with follicular lymphoma, grade II, stage IV, was treated with CHOP, ESHAP and MACOP-B, resulting in partial remission. After 9 months, the disease progressed and several chemotherapy agents, including three courses of rituximab combined with etoposide, sobuzoxane or methotrexate, only resulted in a stable disease response. However, the fourth course of rituximab combined with a small dose of melphalan produced excellent results and the complete response continued for more than 15 months. It is possible that these two drugs may act synergistically.

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis in pregnancy

単純ヘルペス脳炎は本邦では年間約300～400例の発症とされているが1,2),なかでも妊婦単純ヘルペス脳炎は極めて稀であり,本邦で4例3),海外でも約20例強4)の報告しかない.今回,頭部MRIが早期診断に有用であり,アシクロビル投与にて母児共に経過良好であった1例を経験したので,文献的考察を加えて報告する.