Background: Hodgkin lymphoma is the first hematology malignancy to be cured. The Management of mediastinal or pulmonary location, whether inaugural or secondary, is restricted with conventional chemotherapy which contains cardio- or pneumotoxic molecules. The new Advanced therapeutic strategies including targeted therapy Can improve prognosis. Those molecules remain expensive for many patients without social security protection. We reported the contribution of the Brentuximab Vedotin associated with Bendamustine (Bv-B) protocol for two patients with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma pulmonary location. Observation: The first patient is 40years lady who presented lymphadenopathy associated with symptoms such fever and loss of weight the evolution was marked by the pulmonary symptoms cought chest pains the CT scan (TAP): revealed a bilateral mediastino-hilar ganglio-tumoral complex, presence of multiple thoraco-abdomino-pelvic lymphadenopathies; pleuro-pulmonary involvement the patient received two lines of treatment AVD adriblastin velbe Dacarbazine. EACOPP (Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Endoxan (Cyclophosphamide), Oncovin (Vincristine), Procarbazine, Prednisone) without any response the 3rd line treatment was initiated with good remission. The second case was 22 years young adult patients with progressive weight loss associated with evening fever, The appearance a few months later (March 2022) of laterocervical lymphadenopathies of large size (5 cm in greatest diameter on the right and 3 cm on the left) a biopsy was performed with anatomopathological examination revealing the presence of large malignant cells (Reed-Sternberg). classified as Ann Arbor Stage IVBb with unfavorable prognosis according to Hasenclever. The therapeutic protocol adopted was 4 AVD (Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Dacarbazine) without Bleomycin followed by escalation with 2 EACOPP (Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine).unfornately no good response observed the second line of the treatment was made with DHAP also without good response .the 3rd line a Bv-Benda-Pembro protocol (Brentuximab + Bendamustine + Pembrolizumab) was decided due to appearance of the lymphoadenopathy and administrated the patient died after Conclusion: The Bv-B combination demonstrates its efficacy with good tolerance in patients with relapsed hodgkin lymphoma.
Background: The viral haemorrhagic fever Lassa fever endemic in West African countries including Nigeria and Sierra Leone is associated with haematological changes characterised by bleeding and dysfunctional platelet aggregation. Haematological parameters, such as full blood count are widely used clinical indicators of health and disease. These parameters may be deranged in patients with Lassa fever. Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the haematology outcomes in patients with acute Lassa fever, and their relationships with the haemorrhagic manifestations. Methodology: This was a hospital-based case-control study involving 324 participants. Lassa positive patients, febrile Lassa negative patients (control group 1) and afebrile Lassa negative individuals (Control group 2) were recruited into the study. Full (complete) blood count parameters were determined using Orphee Mythic 22 auto analyzer (model number SN 510121-000086). Data generated were analyzed using the SPSS version 26 statistical software packages. Results: A total of 324 participants were recruited in this study, involving 108 Lassa positive patients as the test group, 108 age and sex matched non-Lassa febrile group as control 1 and 108 age and sex matched non-Lassa afebrile group as control 2. The mean PCV (%) was lower in Lassa subjects than in control, as well as the mean MCV (fl); the differences were statistically significant p=0.021 and p=0.022 respectively. Mean MPV (fl) was higher in the febrile group (Lassa and non-Lassa febrile) than in non-Lassa afebrile control (p= 0.016). Also, the mean PDW (%CV) was lower in Lassa subjects than in controls and the mean differences were statistically significant p<0.001. Mean Reticulocyte count (%) was higher in the Lassa group than the controls (p<0.001). Median Neutrophil count was lower in Lassa than in controls (p<0.001). However Median Lymphocyte count was higher in Lassa subjects than in controls (p<0.001). A total of 3.7% of the subjects had leucoerythroblastic blood picture. About 97.2% of the study population survived while 2.8% died. MPV showed a strong association with patient’s outcome (p=0.016) and 25% of those that had leucoerythroblastic blood picture died (p=0.006). In conclusion, this study has shown that MPV and leucoerythroblastic blood picture were strongly associated with mortality in Lassa fever patients.
Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy worldwide. It is of significant public health importance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The SCD nephropathy is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality. The Early detection and prevention of Albuminuria is vital for Nephro-prevention; an effective management tool for SCD. Aim: The present study showed albuminuria as a potential biomarker of sickle cell nephropathy and determine its progression and the associate factors for better prevention. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal, prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted at the Cocody University Hospital Center from May 2023 to May 2025, involving children and adult sickle cell disease patients with albuminuria monitoring. Results: 392 sickle cell patients were recruited, 144 patients had albuminuria. The prevalence was 36.7% with a sex ratio of 0.45 and a mean age of 25.96 years. The SSFA2 form was the most representative. Albuminuria was associated with low hemoglobin levels, mostly between 4-6 g/dl. An albuminuria threshold >300 mg/24h at baseline was associated with an increased risk of persistent albuminuria PA. In multivariate analysis, macroalbuminuria was associated with anemia, young adult and higher levels of renal lesions; microalbuminuria was mainly associated with late childhood and adolescence, with rare renal lesions. 25.7% of cases developed (PA), which was associated with macroalbuminuria and poor therapeutic adherence. The decrease in glomerular filtration rate and Chonic Kidney Disease (CKD) in adults was associated with PA, but not with initial albuminuria. All 4 patients recorded deaded presented persistent albuminuria. Conclusion: The risk of eGFR decline and CKD in adults was associated with PA. Albuminuria in sickle cell disease progressed with age, and PA was also positively associated with characteristics and biomarkers of renal lesions.
Background: Packed cell volume and blood group are two parameters which are key in blood transfusion services, and as such, reduced packed cell volume or incompatible blood group will affect the outcome of transfusion. Blood lead may or may not affect the concentration of blood, as has been demonstrated in studies in other parts. However, this association has not been confirmed in the blood of donors in Port Harcourt; likewise, the association between blood lead and blood group is also not known. Aims: To identify if any relationship exists between blood lead levels, packed cell volume and blood group of blood donors in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt. Study Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Blood bank of the department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between March 2023 to May 2023. Methodology: We included 246 donors, all were male, aged 18-55 years. Biodata and other relevant information were obtained using a semi-structure questionnaire, after consent to participate in the study was obtained. 5mls of blood was drawn from the antecubital fossa and Packed Cell Volume and blood group was determined. Blood Lead concentration was measured using Solaar thermo elemental atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 21. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: The relationship between donor blood lead levels, and packed cell volume and blood group were both statistically insignificant at P =0.238 and 0.061 respectively. However, the age of donors showed a significant relationship with blood lead levels, P = 0.013. Conclusion: No statistically significant association was found to exist between blood lead levels, packed cell volume or the blood group of blood donors.
Background: Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) is considered as a first line therapy in erythrodermic Cutaneous T Cells Lymphoma (CTCL) and a consolidated second line treatment in steroid resistant Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). ECP consists of collecting, using a cell separator, a small aliquot of a patient's mononuclear cells, sending them into apoptosis by treatment with 8-MOP and UVA rays and reinfusing them into the patient, inducing an immunomodulatory action whose precise mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. There are two methods of performing ECP: “in-line” methods and “off-line” methods. For “in-line” methods, all the phases of ECP (leukapheresis, photo activation, reinfusion) are achieved sequentially in extracorporeal circulation using a single instrument and a single sterile disposable kit, without disconnection from patient’s blood circulation. In this paper we report our real-life experience with a recently licensed in-line ECP system proposed by Fresenius-Kabi. Methods: ECP procedures (n=395) were performed in 21 patients using an Amicus cells separator and a Phelix UV irradiator with Amicus software 4.51 and Phelix software 1.0, with a targeted 2000 mL of whole blood (WB) processed and 1.5 J/cm2 of UVA light delivered to the collected mononuclear cells (MNCs). We evaluated the characteristics and costs of the adopted system, the functionality of the procedures performed, the characteristics of the products obtained. We also recorded the operational problems and adverse events that occurred. Results: From September 2023 to April 2025, we performed 395 ECP procedures in 21 patients: 19 with GvHD and 2 with CTCL. Each patient underwent a median of 15 ECP procedures (IQR 12), the processed volume was 1992 mL (IQR 13 mL), the flow rate was 41 ml/min (IQR 15 ml/min), the CE2 was 71% (IQR 9%). The median cost was estimated at 885 Euro each ECP. We observed 8 (2%) adverse events. Conclusions: In our experience the ECP procedure performed with the Amicus system was safe and well tolerated, as matter of facts we observed only few adverse events. Procedure duration was around two hours. Collection efficiency (CE2) for MNC was satisfactory with minimal RBC and platelets contamination.
