Expression of Platelet Parameters and Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins in Childhood Burkitt Lymphoma

Mean platelet counts are relatively decreased with malaria but relatively increased with endemic Burkitt Lymphoma in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya

“…The mean platelet count was 542 9 10 9 platelets/l in 48 HIV-negative childhood BL cases in South Africa, 34 360 9 10 9 platelets/l in 40 BL cases in another study in South Africa 35 and 271 9 10 9 platelets/l in 16 eBL cases in Ghana. 22 The observed mean platelet counts are substantially higher than the 230-237 9 10 9 platelets/l measured in apparently healthy children in Uganda 36 or 226 9 10 9 platelets/l measured in apparently healthy adults in Kenya 37 or elsewhere. 31 These results mirror the general pattern of elevated platelet count (14Á7% of 143 BL cases with individual platelet counts) in BL cases in the worldwide literature.…”

“…It is theoretically possible that BL, regardless of malaria status, perhaps through infiltration or paracrine effects, modulates megakaryocyte physiology and increases the release of platelets into peripheral circulation. Such prematurely released platelets may have functional deficits, as suggested by Asare et al 22 who observed that platelets in lymphoma cases had decreased platelet membrane glycoprotein expressions. However, our finding of the expected reductions in platelet counts in eBL cases with malaria parasitaemia/ antigenaemia, similar to those in the controls with malaria parasitaemia/antigenaemia, suggests that platelets are functionally active against malaria, as reflected by their numbers in eBL cases and in children without eBL.…”

“…[17][18][19][20][21] However, whether malaria infection is associated with decreased platelet count in children with eBL is presently unknown. Asare et al 22 recently reported normal to increased circulating platelet counts but with apparently decreased platelet membrane glycoprotein expression and platelet function in children with eBL in Ghana, compared to controls who were studied by flow cytometric studies. However, their small sample size (16 cases and 15 controls) and lack of malaria data precludes firm conclusions.…”

Investigation of platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia

“…17 There have been studies evaluating the importance of platelet counts combined with platelet measurands in regard to diagnosis, prognosis, and survival in people with a variety of diseases. 17,18 The clinical significance of platelet measurands such as MPV, PDW, MPC, PCT, MPM, and others has been extensively evaluated for a variety of diseases in people [18][19][20] and more recently in veterinary species. 8,10,[21][22][23] In veterinary medicine, research regarding platelet measurands has been focused in dogs with conditions such as Babesia rossi infection, 10 thrombocytopenia, 21 "immune-mediated" thrombocytopenia (ITP), immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), sepsis, and inflammatory diseases.…”

“…20 Finally, when platelet measurands were evaluated in children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), it was found that the PCT and the platelet count were significantly higher in patients with BL, but platelet indices, such as MPV and PDW, were significantly lower compared with controls. 18 There is no information regarding specific changes in the abovementioned platelet measurands in dogs with hematologic neoplasia compared with healthy dogs. Moreover, given that thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic finding in dogs with lymphoma and leukemia, changes in platelet measurands in dogs with or without thrombocytopenia might provide useful information regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and possibly therapy.…”