Zeinab Siahmargoie , Mohammad Taher Hojjati , Hadi Bazzazi , Khodaberdi Kalavi , Mana Zakeri , Hadi Joshaghani ,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background: Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by the overactivity of erythroid progenitors, leading to excessive red blood cell (RBC) production. More than 90% of PV cases harbor a Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene mutation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of JAK2 mutations in individuals with elevated hemoglobin (Hb) levels referred to the laboratory by physicians.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, genomic DNA from 72 patients was analyzed for JAK2 mutations using a TaqMan-specific probe.
Results: Of the 72 patients, 24 (33.3%) were women and 48 (66.6%) were men. JAK2 mutations were detected in 33 cases (45.5%), while 39 (54.2%) were negative. Notably, 15 of 24 female patients (62.5%) tested positive for the JAK2 mutation, compared to 18 of 48 male patients (37.5%).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that screening for JAK2 mutations is particularly important in women with above-normal Hb levels.
Eliz Thomas , Nidhya Ganesan , Lawanya Gunaseelan , Subbarao Tadury Madhukar ,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (5-2025)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to analyze the hematological parameters in pregnant women who were COVID-positive in a tertiary care hospital and to observe whether there was an association between the findings and disease severity.
Methods: This retrospective study included 64 COVID-positive pregnant patients who were admitted to our hospital, under the obstetrics department, during the period from June 2020 to December 2020. The hematological parameters, such as hemoglobin, MCV, RDW, etc., of these women during the third trimester were assessed, and the outcome of the pregnancy was recorded.
Results: Among 64 COVID-positive pregnant women, 14 complained of the usual symptoms like fever, cough, or headache. One complained of increased breathlessness. After hematological work-up, 46 (72%) patients were recorded to have anemia, and 38 (59%) showed leukocytosis. Neutrophilia was seen in 34 patients. The platelet count was within normal limits for all. Forty-nine of them underwent caesarean section for various reasons, the most common being previous caesarean section. Sixty-two deliveries were done at term. Only one of the babies delivered had anemia at birth. The 1- and 5-minute APGAR scores recorded for all the babies were 7 to 9. Fifteen babies delivered underwent RT-PCR testing and were found to be negative.
Conclusion: The laboratory parameters most commonly seen among the COVID-19 pregnant women were anemia, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia, which are comparable to the physiological changes in pregnancy. There was no adverse outcome observed in any of the pregnancies, and all the fetuses were normal. There was no incidence of vertical transmission of the virus among the tested neonates.
Aneesha Asok Kumar, Subaida A K, Anandan K R, Feroze M,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Covid-19 is a global pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). So far different clinical and hematological findings that can predict disease severity have been identified. This study explores the role of Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR) in predicting the severity of Covid-19 infection.
Methods: After obtaining Ethics committee clearance, patients with laboratory confirmed Covid-19 infection admitted during their first two weeks of illness were included in this prospective study. NLR, PLR and NPR were derived from the CBC reports. These ratios were compared in each clinical category groups to assess the severity.
Results: The total number of cases was 160. The mean age at diagnosis was 56 years. Proportion of males were slightly higher (54.4%) than that of females (45.6%). The proportion of Category C patients (66.9%) were more than Category B (25%) and Category A (8.1%) patients. It was found that the NLR, PLR and NPR ratios has statistically significant association with severe Covid-19 infection and hence these can be used to differentiate between Category C from Category A or B. NLR is the better parameter in predicting the severity of Covid-19 disease than PLR and NPR.
Conclusions: NLR, PLR and NPR ratios can be used as predictive markers of disease severity in Covid-19 infection. Among these ratios, NLR has the highest predictive value for disease deterioration.
Faeze Shahriyari, Fatemeh Shams, Mehrnaz Abdolalian, Narjes Soltani, Hashem Honari, Leila Rafaty Javanbakht, Mohammadreza Javan,
Volume 19, Issue 5 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background: Blood transfusion services are responsible for providing blood products.
Knowing parameters, which affects people’s decision to donate blood, will help to respond to this demand. This study was designed to assess the attitudes and barriers toward blood donation among volunteer donors in Mashhad (Northeast of Iran) during 2014-2015.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Iranian blood transfusion organization (IBTO) centers in Mashhad. A total of 640 volunteer blood donors including first-time and frequent donors attended this study. The questionnaire was designed based on similar studies and the reliability and validity were controlled. A Questionnaire consisting of multi-choice questions was provided to participants. SPSS software was used for data analysis. The t-student test was used and P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Among 640 participants, 80% of them completed the questionnaire and returned it. 474(92.5%) of participants were male and 38(7.4%) were female. 114 of donors were first-time donors and the others had donated blood before. The most important motivations for blood donation include altruism 249 (91.88%) and 76 (85.40%) in frequent and first-time donors respectively. Other factors like social. Lack of time (73.80%) was the most important barrier to blood donation among first-time donors.
Conclusion: The results showed that the most important motive and barrier for blood donation was altruism and lack of time. In other words paying attention to the motivations or barriers of blood donation in donors can play an important role in attracting and retaining donors.
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