RETICULOCYTOSIS, HYPOCHROMIA, AND MICROCYTOSIS - AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF THE PRELEUKEMIC SYNDROME

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (2) , 293-299
Abstract
Two patients exhibiting a highly unusual preleukemic syndrome with marked reticulocytosis, hypochromia and microcytosis are reported. This red cell phenotype was investigated by means of HbF, HbA2, and i-antigen activity dosages, immunofluorescence labeling of F cells, reticulocyte survival, globin chain synthesis, and EM study. The marked reticulocytosis is explained by a delayed disappearance of the reticulum. Serum iron is normal, and a thalassemic syndrome is excluded because of a balanced .alpha./non-.alpha. globin chain synthesis. EM studies are consistent with a defect in iron uptake by erythroid cells. All the hematologic data and investigations are similar to those observed for the Belgrade laboratory rat. It is hypothesized that the low expression of HbF and i-Ag associated with microcytosis are related to a prolongation of erythroid maturation as reflected by abnormal reticulocyte survival.