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December 1982, Vol 136, No. 12 >
Article | December 1982

Susceptibility to Infections in β-Thalassemia Major FREE

GINO SCHILIRÓ, MD; MARIA ANTONIETTA ROMEO, MD; ANTONIO Russo, MD; FELICIA DI GREGORIO, MD; SALVATORE MUSUMECI, MD; GIUSEPPE Russo, MD
Am J Dis Child. 1982;136(12):1099. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1982.03970480065021.
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Sir.—The article "Deficient Activity of the Alternative Pathway of Complement in β Thalassemia Major" by Corry et al (Journal 1981;135:529-531) deals with the topic of susceptibility to infections in thalassemic children, especially after splenectomy. The deficient activity of the alternative pathway of complement observed by Corry and colleagues contributes to the study of this obscure problem. Various aspects of both humoral and cellular immunity have been investigated in thalassemia, but the results are discordant.1-6 Thus, a decrease of the capacity of host defense in these patients is not firmly established.

We present our own experience in treating patients with thalassemia. We observed significant activation of the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test in patients with hemoglobin levels below 6 g/dL (27.8% ±19.7%), whereas the patients with higher levels showed normal mean values (14.9% ±10.1% v 15.5% ±8% in normal children). We noticed no effect of splenectomy on this function. Although

REFERENCES

1 +
Valassi-Adam H, Nassika E, Kattamis C, et al:  Immunoglobulin levels in children with homozygous β-thalassemia . Acta Paediatr Scand 1976;;65:23-27.
2 +
Khan AJ, Lee CK, Wolff JA, et al:  Defects of neutrophils chemotaxis and random migration in thalassemia major . Pediatrics 1977;;60:349-351.
3 +
Caroline L, Kozinn PJ, Feldman F, et al:  Infection and iron overload in thalassemia . Ann NY Acad Sci 1969;;165:148-155.
4 +
Tovo PA, Miniero R, Barbera C, et al:  Serum immunoglobulins in homozygous β-thalassemia . Acta Haematol 1981;;65:21-25.
5 +
Lazzarin A, Masera G, Caredda F, et al:  Studio della funzionalità granulocitaria in bambini thalassemici . Riv Ital Pediatr 1980;;6:609-612.
6 +
Hicsonmez G, Dalat E, Erbengi G:  Reticuloendothelial phagocytic function in children with β-thalassemia major . Acta Haematol 1979;; 61:283-287.
7 +
Liakakos D, Vlachos P:  Nitroblue tetrazolium test in thalassemia . J Pediatr 1973;;82:352-353.
8 +
Tovo PA, Miniero R, Ponzone A:  Nitroblue tetrazolium test in thalassemia . J Pediatr 1977;; 90:666.
9 +
Wasi P:  Streptococcal infection leading to cardiac and renal involvement in thalassaemia . Lancet 1971;;1:949-950.

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References

1 +
Valassi-Adam H, Nassika E, Kattamis C, et al:  Immunoglobulin levels in children with homozygous β-thalassemia . Acta Paediatr Scand 1976;;65:23-27.
2 +
Khan AJ, Lee CK, Wolff JA, et al:  Defects of neutrophils chemotaxis and random migration in thalassemia major . Pediatrics 1977;;60:349-351.
3 +
Caroline L, Kozinn PJ, Feldman F, et al:  Infection and iron overload in thalassemia . Ann NY Acad Sci 1969;;165:148-155.
4 +
Tovo PA, Miniero R, Barbera C, et al:  Serum immunoglobulins in homozygous β-thalassemia . Acta Haematol 1981;;65:21-25.
5 +
Lazzarin A, Masera G, Caredda F, et al:  Studio della funzionalità granulocitaria in bambini thalassemici . Riv Ital Pediatr 1980;;6:609-612.
6 +
Hicsonmez G, Dalat E, Erbengi G:  Reticuloendothelial phagocytic function in children with β-thalassemia major . Acta Haematol 1979;; 61:283-287.
7 +
Liakakos D, Vlachos P:  Nitroblue tetrazolium test in thalassemia . J Pediatr 1973;;82:352-353.
8 +
Tovo PA, Miniero R, Ponzone A:  Nitroblue tetrazolium test in thalassemia . J Pediatr 1977;; 90:666.
9 +
Wasi P:  Streptococcal infection leading to cardiac and renal involvement in thalassaemia . Lancet 1971;;1:949-950.

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