Abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) is characterized by acanthocytosis, hypocholesterolemia, and steatorrhea. Here, we describe a case of ABL associated with rickets and dysmorphic findings and the subsequent therapeutic course in an 18-month-old male referred for evaluation for failure to thrive and chronic fatty diarrhea. Examination revealed a pale child, dysmorphic face, and signs of rickets. Labora...

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with jaundice, massive ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and an intramuscular hematoma. She had severe liver dysfunction with a total bilirubin level of 9.0 mg/dL, indirect bilirubin level of 6.9 mg/dL, albumin level of 2.8 g/dL and prothrombin ratio of 43%. Her hemoglobin level was 6.8 g/dL, and a peripheral blood smear showed the presence of a la...

A 30-year-old man with a history of generalized epilepsy presented with progressively worsening involuntary movements for 2 years. He had no family history of movement disorders. He had orofacial choreiform movements with sucking, grimacing, and neck flexion, which were exacerbated with eating. He also had oral ulcers due to involuntary biting. Blood smear showed 20% acanthocytes. Nerve conduct...

A diet supplemented with cholesterol and coconut oil is atherogenic in dogs. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of this diet on red cells in pure-bred beagles and greyhounds. Within 3 days after the initiation of this diet red cell cholesterol/phospholipid increased and membrane fluidity decreased, with maximum changes attained by 12 weeks. Serum lipoprotein cholesterol...

The case of a patient with cirrhosis of the liver suffering from severe haemolysis accompanied by circulating ;spur cells' is described. Studies performed in an attempt to determine the cause for the abnormal shape of the erythrocytes demonstrated that the patient's serum could induce spur formation in normal compatible cells. Several lines of evidence pointed to the possibility that the factor...

Using mtDNA sequences and 12 microsatellite loci, we compare populations of Testudo graeca from Sardinia and North Africa. The observed pattern of almost no differentiation combined with reduced variation in the Sardinian population is consistent with introduction in prehistoric or historic times from what is now Tunisia and neighbouring Algeria. Furthermore, in the light of the recently publis...

Background: Non-communicable diseases are often associated with chronic inflammation, placing patients suffering from these conditions at a higher risk of thrombosis and other complications. The pathophysiology asthma and/or atopic is also linked to which consequently may alter blood parameters including erythrocyte structure function. Methodology: objective this study was evaluate differences ...

Abstract Alectinib is an orally bioavailable anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor indicated for ALK mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This case series documents the development of significant erythrocyte membrane changes associated with alectinib use in six patients. Morphological findings found on blood film examination include moderate-marked acanthocytes, spheroacanthocytes, ...

A 47-year-old man was admitted to hospital with jaundice and ascites. Cirrhosis was attributed to alcohol abuse as his alcohol intake had been high for at least 10 years. Prior to admission, he had ceased drinking alcohol and had been treated with diuretics and pentoxifylline. Blood tests revealed an elevated plasma bilirubin (11 mg/dL or 187 mmol/l), a mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase (1...