Asian Hematology Research Journal

Protective Effects of Telfairia occidentalis and Carica papaya Leaf Extracts on Hematological and Lipid Alterations in Phenylhydrazine-Induced Anemia in Rats

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Anaemia is a major global health challenge and is commonly associated with oxidative stress, haemolysis and metabolic disturbances, including dyslipidaemia. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced haemolytic anaemia is a widely used experimental model characterised by erythrocyte destruction and altered lipid metabolism. This study investigated the combined haematoprotective and hypolipidaemic effects of Telfairia occidentalis and Carica papaya leaf extracts in PHZ-induced anaemic Wistar rats. Twenty male albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control, PHZ-induced untreated group (negative control), PHZ-induced group treated with the standard drug (Oreifer®) and PHZ-induced group treated with combined ethanolic leaf extracts (200 mg/kg). Anaemia and dyslipidaemia were induced by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ (40 mg/kg) for four consecutive days, followed by seven days of treatment. Haematological parameters and serum lipid profile were assessed. The negative control group (Group B) exhibited marked haematological disruption, with increased WBC count (13.12 ± 2.1) and reduced RBC (2.9 ± 0.82), HGB (131.42 ± 7.0) and PCV (26.14 ± 5.5). This was accompanied by reduced HDL-C and increased LDL-C, TC and TAG levels, confirming the induction of anaemia and dyslipidaemia. Treatment with the combined extracts improved RBC, HGB and PCV, restoring values towards normal and producing effects comparable to the standard drug group. The extracts also significantly increased HDL-C and reduced LDL-C levels (p < 0.05). However, reductions in TAG and TC were not statistically significant. WBC and platelet counts showed normalisation trends after treatment. Overall, the combined leaf extracts of Telfairia occidentalis and Carica papaya exhibited haematoprotective and selective hypolipidaemic effects in PHZ-induced anemia. These findings support their potential as complementary therapeutic agents in managing anemia and associated lipid abnormalities. Further studies are required to elucidate mechanisms, isolate active compounds, and establish safety for clinical use.

Dissecting Splenic B Cell Lymphoma/Leukaemia with Prominent Nucleoli (SBLPN) by Flow Cytometry: Experience from a Stand-Alone Reference Laboratory

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Splenic B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia with prominent nucleoli (SBLPN) is a rare chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancy, comprising approximately 0.4% of all chronic lymphoid malignancies, with a reported annual incidence of 0.03 per million. Although prominent nucleoli with polar cytoplasmic projections are considered distinctive features of SBLPN, their assessment is often subjective and requires an experienced observer, which may lead to an imprecise diagnosis. Molecular studies are limited and inconclusive. Flow cytometry is often indispensable for the accurate characterisation of such atypical lymphoid cells.

Method: The study was an observational study of 10 cases diagnosed as SBLPN. The samples were processed using the stain-lyse-wash procedure and analysed using the BD FACSCANTO II analyser with BD FACS Diva software v9.0. A gating strategy using bright CD19 versus low side scatter was employed to analyse the lymphocyte population. A Matutes-based scoring system incorporating the HCL markers CD11c, CD103, CD123, and CD25 was used.

Result: SBLPN is a CD5-, CD10-, and CD25-negative B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with positivity for CD11c and CD103. Of the 10 cases, eight had a score of 2 out of 4, while two had a score of 3 out of 4. None of the cases had a score of 0, 1, or 4.

Conclusion: SBLPN is a CD5-, CD10-, and CD25-negative B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with positivity for CD11c and CD103. The Matutes immunophenotypic score using the four markers remains relevant and usually yields a lower score in SBLPN.

Serum Ferritin and Plasma Fibrinogen Levels among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

C. Okoro Blessing, C. Aloy-Amadi Oluchi, U. Enyereibe Marvellous — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Pregnancy is accompanied by substantial physiological changes in iron metabolism and haemostasis. Although many of these changes are normal adaptations to pregnancy, marked alterations may contribute to maternal anaemia and thrombotic complications. Ferritin provides an indirect assessment of body iron stores, while fibrinogen is an important coagulation protein whose concentration increases during pregnancy as part of the physiological hypercoagulable state.

Objectives: This study evaluated serum ferritin and plasma fibrinogen levels among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Methods: The study comprised 120 women, consisting of 60 apparently healthy non-pregnant women who served as controls and 60 pregnant women distributed across the first, second and third trimesters. Five millilitres of venous blood were collected from each participant. Two millilitres were dispensed into a sodium citrate container for fibrinogen estimation, while the remaining 3 mL were dispensed into a plain container for serum ferritin estimation. Data generated were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test.

Results: Ferritin levels among pregnant women showed a progressive decline across pregnancy, from (65.64 ± 4.25)ng/ml in the first trimester to (56.59 ± 3.56)ng/ml in the second trimester and (45.69 ± 5.39)ng/ml in the third trimester. Compared to non-pregnant women (64.05 ± 2.34), the difference was not statistically significant in the first trimester (p = 0.737) or second trimester (p = 0.105), but was significantly lower in the third trimester (p = 0.001). In contrast, fibrinogen levels were significantly higher among pregnant women in all trimesters compared to non-pregnant controls (187.29 ± 8.62)mg/dl, with values of (347.29 ± 19.47)mg/dl, (390.21 ± 17.23)mg/dl and (359.79 ± 18.44)mg/dl in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively (p < 0.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusion: The reduction in ferritin with advancing gestation suggests progressive utilisation of maternal iron stores, while the increase in fibrinogen reflects the haemostatic adaptation of pregnancy. These findings demonstrate that ferritin and fibrinogen may provide useful complementary information during antenatal assessment. Routine monitoring of iron stores and haemostatic status, particularly in women at increased risk of anaemia or thrombotic complications, may improve maternal care.

Concurrent B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Histiocytic Sarcoma (HS): A Case Report

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Histiocytic sarcoma is a rare haematopoietic neoplasm with aggressive clinical behaviour and limited standardised treatment guidance. Its occurrence in association with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is uncommon and may create significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This case report describes a 25-year-old woman who was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after presenting with fever and generalised tiredness. Initial evaluation showed blast involvement in the peripheral blood and bone marrow, with flow cytometry supporting B-cell lineage disease. Cytogenetic testing by FISH was negative for BCR-ABL, ETV6-RUNX1, KMT2A, and TCF3 rearrangements, and there was no central nervous system involvement at diagnosis. The patient received HyperCVAD chemotherapy and achieved measurable residual disease-negative remission after the first cycle. During subsequent therapy, she developed persistent fever despite negative infectious and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis work-ups. Repeat bone marrow biopsy and PET-CT revealed a multifocal process, including metabolically active breast nodules and skeletal lesions. Core biopsy of the right breast lesion showed large histiocytoid cells with diffuse CD68 and CD4 positivity, weak LCA and TdT expression, absence of other myeloid and lymphoid lineage markers, a Ki-67 index of 15–20%, and negative BRAF V600E staining. These findings supported a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma involving the breast and bone marrow. The patient’s condition deteriorated despite further therapy, and palliative care was initiated. This case highlights the need for careful clinicopathological correlation when atypical lesions emerge during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.