Frequency of COVID-19 Antibodies in Patients With Hereditary Hematological Diseases
Thalassemia MajorCovid19In Italy there are about 5000 patients with dependent transfusion thalassemia (source Italian Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies - SITE) and a smaller number, currently not definable, of patients with sickle cell anemia in chronic transfusion. A recent study in the Lombardy region identified the positivity of anti-Covid-19 antibodies in 4.5-7% of asymptomatic donors (Valenti L et al). As already known, a preliminary study conducted in Italy (Motta I et al, Hussain FA et al, Taher A et al) reported only 11 cases of symptomatic infection all with benign evolution. Currently there are 15 reported cases (12 thalassemias and 3 sickle cell anemias). 75% of the cases have been identified in Lombardy. Our hypothesis is that in a percentage of polytransfused patients a transmission of the virus may have developed that stimulated the production of protective antibodies. This could be an explanation of the low contagiousness and severity of the infection in polytransfused patients. Currently no data are available for this purpose. This study will be conducted in collaboration with the Microbiology Unit and involves the determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (anti-s1 and s2) by CLIA method with a high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (98.5%).
Congenital Heart Surgery in Pediatric Patients With Beta-Thalassemia Major
HemolysisAuthors compared incidence of Hemolysis on Cardiopulmonary Bypass surgery for repair of congenital heart disease in Pediatric Patients between patients with thalassemia major and control group
Monitoring of Erythroid Lineage Specific Chimerism Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation...
Thalassemia MajorThe purpose of this study is to collect peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate samples from thalassemia patients in Tehran, in a collaborative effort to develop an erythroid lineage specific chimerism assay applicable to patients with thalassemia. Development of such an assay would be useful both for identification of the exact mutation causing the disease, as well as for providing a direct method to measure and monitor the kinetics of donor erythropoiesis in this patient population following transplant.
Clinical and Laboratory Assessment of Iron Overload in Sickle Cell Anemia and Sickle Cell Thalassemia...
Sickle Cell AnemiaSickle Cell ThalassemiaIron overload is well study in Thalassemia patients and it's not only related to blood transfusions, since intestinal iron absorption is also increased in those patients. Sickle cell patients didn't developed significant clinical symptoms and signs of iron overload in spite frequent transfusions. The purpose of this study is to assess the iron overload in Sickle cell anemia and Sickle cell Thalassemia patients using clinical parameters and laboratory studies including Non Transferrin Binding Iron, Labile Iron and Hepcidin, in order to determine the cardiac and liver iron.
Genetics of Alpha Thalassemia in Israeli Ethnic Groups
Alpha ThalassemiaAlpha thalassemia causes mild anemia and is found in many ethnic groups. Usually it is found in regions where malaria is endemic. We have found that alpha thalassemia is common in Ashkenazim, whose countries of origin are in temperate climates. We are analyzing the alpha globin genes of individuals of many ethnic groups and will compare to try to define the origin of thalassemia in these individuals of European extraction.
Cardiac Management of Patients With Thalassemia Minor and Breast Cancer
Breast CancerThalassemia Minor1 moreThis retrospective study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical conditions in term of physical examination findings), functional status, and laboratory results of patients with thalassemia minor (TM) and breast cancer (BC) in order to identify any differences between the group with BC only. Available data as anticancer treatment, comorbidities, weight and height will be combined to report body mass index (BMI) in kg/m2, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, blood count, lipid panels, glucose, kidney function tests, (N terminal) NT-proBNP, troponins, handgrip assessments, functional status were extracted from patients files and hospital electronic archives.
Renal Function Among Thalassemia Patients Treated by a Oral Chelator Deferasirox
ThalassemiaIron OverloadThalassemia Major patients developed Iron Overload due to blood transfusions and intestinal iron absorption. Renal function caused by Iron overload was studied in a previous study and shows principally tubular disfunction. In this previous study the Iron chelator used was Deferrioxamine. In the last five years an oral Iron chelator was introduced and approved by the FDA, Deferasirox, (Novartis, Switzerland and USA). The purpose of this study is to assess the renal function in Thalassemia Major patients treated with this new oral iron chelator and compare the results with our previous study.
Perceptions of Thalassemia Major in Singapore: An Exploratory Study of Stigma
Thalassemia MajorBackground: Thalassemia major (TM) is a chronic disorder that affects a person s ability to produce hemoglobin, resulting in anemia. Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body. As a result, individuals require life-long blood transfusions and extensive medical management. Studies have shown that because of its demanding nature, TM might negatively affect an individual s quality of life, sense of self, and social integration, but little is known about affected individuals overall experiences with and perceptions of TM. TM is caused by a genetic change in the thalassemia gene. The disease is passed to children by parents who carry one copy of the altered thalassemia gene. The parents are called carriers of the condition and have a 25 percent chance of having a child with TM. It is possible to screen for carriers of TM and use this information for pregnancy planning and management. TM is common among people from South and South East Asia and is an important public health concern in Singapore. More research is needed to explore the lives of people with TM, and the societal perceptions that exist in Singapore about TM. Objectives: To describe the familial, social, and professional experiences of individuals with TM. To investigate the social messages being given out about TM in Singapore and the sources of those messages. To explore the impact of these experiences, perceptions, and social messages on individuals who have TM. To explore how the experiences and perceptions of individuals who have TM affect their life, sense of self, social integration, and compliance with medical treatment. Eligibility: Residents of Singapore who are 14 years of age or older, can speak English, and currently have TM. Parents of individuals with TM who are 14 years of age or older. Parents must be 21 years of age or older, be able to speak English, and have had caregiving responsibilities for their child at some point. Design: All participants will have a one-time semi-structured interview, followed by a questionnaire to obtain demographic information. Interviews will be conducted in Singapore and are expected to last for 30 to 90 minutes. Individuals with TM will be asked about their own perceptions of TM; familial, social, and professional experiences involving TM; and their perceptions of others views and of social messages related to TM. Parents of individuals with TM will be asked about their experiences in caring for a child with TM, talking to their child about TM, telling people about their child s TM, and interacting with health care providers.
Demographic, Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Children With Alpha Thalassemia in Northern...
Thalassemia AlphaHemolytic AnemiaThe study intends to summarize the clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with hemolytic anemia diagnosed as having alpha thalassemia mutations.
The Change of Coagulation Markers in Children With β-thalassemia Disease After Stem Cell Transplantation...
ThalassemiaHypercoagulable state is well recognized in patients with β-thalassemia. Evidences of hypercoagulability include abnormal expression of phosphatidylserine on red blood cell (rbc) surface and consequent increased platelet activation and thrombin generation. In addition, a reduction of anticoagulants i.e. proteins C and S and antithrombin (AT) was demonstrated. However, coagulable state in patients with β-thalassemia following stem cell transplantation (SCT) has not been characterized.