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Biomedical subjects

D Catovsky

Publications and source records attributed to D Catovsky.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

T-lymphocyte colonies in normal blood, bone marrow and lymphoproliferative disorders.

The formation of T-lymphocyte colonies was studied in normal individuals and in different lymphoproliferative disorders, using the double layer technique of Lowenberg & de Zeeuw (1977). All normal peripheral blood and bone marrow samples formed colonies: range 102-270 (mean 177) and 55-245 (mean 138) per 1 X 10(5) cells, respectively. Bone marrows from acute leukaemias in complete remission showed normal or increased colony formation. The T cell nature of the colonies was shown by rosette formation with sheep and human red blood cells (RBC). Most lymphoproliferative disorders of T and B cell either failed to grow colonies or showed reduced colony numbers. This was of particular interest in the chronic T cell disorders in which a high proportion of T cells was plated. This technique may help in the further characterization of leukaemic cell populations and may also provide clues on the distribution of particular subsets of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Cytochemistry of normal and leukaemic lymphocytes: a review.

Findings with six cytochemical reactions demonstrable in normal and leukaemic lymphocytes were reviewed. The two methods which are presently of greater diagnostic value are the acid phosphatase (AP) and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) reactions. AP has a definitive role in the diagnosis of acute and chronic T-cell leukaemias, where a strong positive reaction helps to distinguish them from most B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. New findings concerning the ultrastructural localization of this enzyme are presented. ANAE is of value in distinguishing T-lymphocytes (positive localized reaction) from B lymphocytes (negative reaction) and the T micron from the T gamma subpopulation of T-lymphocytes, a positive reaction demonstrable only in the T micron cells. Other reactions reviewed were PAS, beta-glucoronidase, hexosaminidase and alkaline phosphatase.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1978

Co-trimoxazole for prevention of infection in acute leukaemia.

30 patients with acute leukaemia being treated with cytotoxic drugs were investigated in a randomised trial to determine whether oral administration of co-trimoxazole in addition to non-absorbable antibiotics would reduce the rate of infection. Three significant differences were observed between the co-trmoxazole and the control groups: (i) 15 of the 16 (94%) control patients but only 8 of the 14 (57%) patients on co-trimoxazole developed infections and required additional antibiotics intravenously; (ii) although the duration of severe neutropenia (neutrophils less than 0.1 times 10(9)/1) was similar in the two groups, control patients required intravenous antibiotics on average after 2 days of neutropenia, whereas patients receiving co-trimoxazole required these only after 12 days; and (iii) the only 2 patients who died of infection were in the control group. Prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole is important in preventing or delaying the development of infection in neutropenic patients receiving therapy for acute leukaemia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1978

Ultrastructural, cytochemical and surface marker analysis of cells during blast crisis of chronic granulocytic leukaemia.

The blast cells of 19 patients with Ph1-positive chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL) in blast crisis (BC) were studied by means of several techniques: morphology, cytochemistry, ultrastructure, surface markers and the enzyme terminal transferase. Cells of BC were, in most case, extremely undifferentiated by morphology and cytochemistry. Our data showed that in 80% of cases the cells in BC were myeloid and in 20% they were "lymphoblastic". The M1, M2 and M3 forms (FAB classification) were rare in CGL BC compared with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). A megakaryoblastic type was seen in 15% of BC cases; the existence of this form could only be demonstrated by electron microscopy. The limphoblastic BC cells were, as in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), positive with Greaves' anti-ALL serum and had elevated levels of terminal transferase. A case of a 17-year old boy presenting as ALL, reverting to chronic-phase CGL after complete remission and developing terminally a myeloid BC is described in detail. This case helps to illustrate a new form of natural history of CGL unveiled by the present study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Acid-phosphatase reaction in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The diagnostic value of the acid-phosphatase reaction was assessed double-blind in 148 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (A.L.L.) classified by surface-membrane markers and entered into the M.R.C. U.K. A.L.L. trials. 90% of cases of T-A.L.L. showed a positive reaction in the majority of blast cells, while only 2% of common-A.L.L. and 10% of null-A.L.L. were positive. This cytochemical reaction distinguished the more aggressive form of A.L.L. any may aid the choice of therapy.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1978

Cell membrane enzymes: L-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase, maltase and trehalase in normal and leukaemic lymphocytes.

Several cell-membrane enzymes, which serve functions in amino acid and sugar transport, were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes from chronic B and T lymphocytic disorders, blast cells in acute leukaemias, and in normal lymphocytes from cord blood, peripheral blood of adults, tonsils and bone-marrow plasma cells in myelomatosis. The specific activities of L-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, maltase and trehalase were low, as compared with those measured in normal blood lymphocytes, in the acute leukaemias and in the chronic B-cell disorders. In myelomatosis and in the chronic T-cell disorders, the specific activity of these three enzymes was in the normal range or above normal. The specific activity of leucine aminopeptidase was low in all the chronic B-cell disorders and in some of the lymphoblastic leukaemias. It was elevated in Sézary syndrome cells but low in T-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. All four enzymes were lower than normal in cord blood lymphocytes and higher than normal in tonsils. These findings are discussed in relation to the patterns of lymphoid cell differentiation and maturation in normal tissues and in leukaemic states.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1978

Malignant histiocytosis: a clinico-pathological study of 12 cases.

The clinico-pathological features of 12 cases of malignant histiocytosis (histiocytic medullary reticulosis), aged 12-60 years, were studied. Special emphasis was put on the analysis of the haematological, cytological and histopathological findings of the disease. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsies from involved tissues (liver, lymph node, spleen and skin) were found best suited for establishing the diagnosis. Cytochemical and ultrastructural data support the concept that the neoplastic cells belong to the mononuclear-phagocyte system. Three untreated patients died in less than 6 months. Median survival of the nine treated patients was 1 year. Seven patients were treated with the combination chemotherapy CHOP and four achieved a complete remission. Three of them are alive and continue in unmaintained remission for more than 1 year, surviving so far for 18+ to 31+ months. Two cases showed evidence of CNS involvement, one during life and the other as a post-mortem finding. The differential diagnosis from other related or unrelated disorders and the possible aetiological factors responsible for the disease are discussed in detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Cell membrane enzymes. II. Alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphodiesterase I in normal and leukaemic lymphocytes.

The distribution of two cell membrane enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphodiesterase I has been studied in normal and leukaemic lymphocytes. No reduction in the level of activity of either enzyme was found in the chronic or acute B- and T-cell leukaemias. Alkaline phosphatase activity was elevated in the lymphocytes from T-CLL, cord blood and tonsils and the blast cells from Null-ALL. Alkaline phosphodiesterase was elevated in lymphocytes from cord blood and tonsils and the blast cells from Null-ALL. As findings in Null-ALL were based on only two cases, they need confirmation in a larger series. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to current theories of maturation and differentiation in the lymphoproliferative disorders.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1978

Response to doxorubicin in hairy cell leukaemia.

A case of hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) treated by single-agent chemotherapy after the failure of splenectomy is reported. The patient was treated with doxorubicin 50 mg on 4 occasions over an 8-day period. After 2 weeks of profound pancytopenia, substantial blood and bone marrow improvement ensued. This case demonstrates that HCL may in some case be treated successfully by intensive chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Hairy cell leukemia: a clinical review based on 71 cases.

We studied the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 71 patients with hairy cell leukemia to ascertain whether prognostic factors important for the therapy of the disease existed. Granulocytopenia of less than 500/mu 1 was associated with the occurrence of a serious infection in 46% of the patients, compared to 19% of patients whose absolute granulocyte count was greater than 500/mu 1 (P less than 0.05). In most patients with symptoms of thrombocytopenia or leukopenia, splenectomy led to improved blood counts. Patients treated with splenectomy only had a significantly longer survival than those treated with steroids only (P less than 0.05). A group of patients who were slightly older and had minimal splenomegaly and few hairy cells in the peripheral blood did well without therapeutic intervention. Twenty-four patients have died, 16 of an infectious process. The actuarial survival for the group is 51% at 4 years, and there has been no change subsequently.

Adult↗