Patients with idiopathic, cyclic, and congenital neutropenia have recurrent severe bacterial infections. One hundred twenty-three patients with recurrent infections and severe chronic neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 0.5 x 10(9)/L) due to these diseases were enrolled in this multicenter phase III trial. They were randomized to either immediately beginning recombinant human granulocyte colony- stimulating factor (filgrastim) (3.45 to 11.50 micrograms/kg/d, subcutaneously) or entering a 4-month observation period followed by filgrastim administration. Blood neutrophil counts, bone marrow (BM) cell histology, and incidence and duration of infection-related events were monitored. Of the 123 patients enrolled, 120 received filgrastim. On therapy, 108 patients had a median absolute neutrophil count of = or = 1.5 x 10(9)/L. Examination of BM aspirates showed increased proportions of maturing neutrophils. Infection-related events were significantly decreased (P < .05) with approximately 50% reduction in the incidence and duration of infection-related events and almost 70% reduction in duration of antibiotic use. Asymptomatic splenic enlargement occurred frequently; adverse events frequently reported were bone pain, headache, and rash, which were generally mild and easily manageable. These data indicate that treatment of patients with severe chronic neutropenia with filgrastim results in a stimulation of BM production and maturation of neutrophils, an increase in circulating neutrophils, and a reduction in infection-related events.

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A B S T R A C T A new human antigen is reported which is present only on blood neutrophils. A neutrophil-specific antigen, designated NAI, has previously been identified in two unrelated families, and was shown to be involved in fetomaternal incompatibility and the development of isoimmune neonatal neutropenia in five newborns. In the present paper, a second antigen, designated NB1, is identified in four families with seven affected children. Antibodies that react with this second antigen are shown to produce selective agglutination of neutrophils but not other blood cells. They are neither absorbed by cells prepared from solid tissues nor by non-neutrophilic blood cells.By family and population studies, NB is shown to be distinct from NA, representing an independent genetic locus. 68% of the New York population are homozygous for NB1, 29% heterozygous, and 3% negative. The NB locus is shown to be independent from those of HL-A and other known leukocyte antigens. No evidence for linkage between NA, NB, and red cell antigens was obtained.

We describe the actions of two new allosteric effectors of hemoglobin, 2-[4-(3,5-dichlorophenylureido)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid (L35) and 2-[4-(3,4,5-trichlorophenylureido)phenoxy]-2-methylpropionic acid (L345). Each of them binds to two pairs of symmetry-related sites in the central cavity of human deoxyhemoglobin. One pair of sites overlaps with that occupied by bezafibrate [Perutz et al. (1986) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108, 1064-1078]. The other sites are new, and the pair occupied by L35 is different from that occupied by L345. All the sites are at least 20 A from the site where organic phosphates are bound. L345 is by far the most potent allosteric effector of hemoglobin ever described. At a concentration of 0.1 mM, it raises the P50 of a suspension of red cells by 50%; at 0.2 mM it raises the P50 2.5-fold. At acid pH, it reduces Hill's coefficient to near unity and prevents complete oxygen saturation even under 1 atm of pure oxygen. In azidemethemoglobin at pH 6, it induces a transition to higher spin. These properties are reminiscent of those of teleost fish hemoglobins that exhibit a Root effect. The influence of L35 and L345 and that of organic phosphates on the oxygen affinity are additive, but they compete with chloride. L35 acts more weakly than L345, but can be made to induce the same effects as L345 alone by adding inositol hexaphosphate. Both compounds increase the alkaline and acid Bohr effects. They alter the bimolecular kinetics of CO recombination after a flash by increasing the slowly reacting fraction of hemoglobin in the T state at the expense of the fast-reacting fraction in the R state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A new method for the detection of red blood cell antibodies has been developed. Polybrene®, a positively charged polymer, was utilized to produce agglutination of red blood cells. This agglutination could be reversed by the addition of hyper tonic salt solution. However, red blood cells remained agglutinated in the presence of antibodies. This principle was applied to antibody detection automated by AutoAnalyzerrG. The method has proved to be highly sensitive and has a wide spectrum of usefulness for the detection of both “complete” and “incomplete” antibodies.