FETAL HEMOGLOBIN IN POLYCYTHEMIA-VERA - CELLULAR-DISTRIBUTION IN 50 UNSELECTED PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (6) , 1148-1155
Abstract
Fetal Hb was studied in 50 unselected patients with polycythemia vera with chemical determinations of Hb F and measurements of F-cell [cells synthesizing Hb F] levels using fluorescent anti-Hb F antibodies. Although in the majority of the patients Hb F production did not differ from that in normal controls, in 20% of the patients F-cell values were above the normal range. There was no correlation between F-cell values and duration of disease, treatment modality, presence of myelofibrosis or hematologic parameters at the time of study. In 5 of 50 patients 30-45% of the erythrocytes contained Hb F. Such striking elevations of F cells may reflect a distorted differentiation of erythroid precursor cells in certain patients with this disorder.