Search

We evaluated the relevance of using the smudge cell percentage in the blood smear as a prognostic marker in CLL.In this prospective study, 42 untreated Senegalese patients with CLL were enrolled. The diagnosis was established, based on the peripheral blood count and flow cytometry using the Matutes score. Cytogenetic aberrations, assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), were available for 30 patients, while the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IGVH) mutation status was performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 24 patients. The SC percentage was determined in the blood smear, as previously described. Statistical analyses were executed using the GraphPad Prism 8.The mean age was 63 years (48 - 85) and the male: female sex ratio was 4.66. A low SC (30%) percentage was correlated with Binet stage B/C (p = 0.0009), CD38 expression (p = 0.039), unmutated IGVH status (p = 0.0009) and presence of cytogenetic abnormalities (for del 13q, p = 0.0012, while for other cytogenetic aberrations, p = 0.016). An inverse correlation was found between the SC percentage and the absolute lymphocyte count (r = -0.51) and patients with higher percentage of SCs had a prolonged survival. However, there was no correlation between the SC percentage and age (p = 0.41) or gender (median, 19% for males vs. 20% for females; p = 0.76).When less than 30%, the SC was associated with a poor prognosis in CLL. Easy and affordable, the percentage of SCs in a blood smear could be a reliable prognostic marker, accessible to all CLL patients, mainly those in developing countries.

Our aim was to characterize endothelial function in gestational diabetes by evaluating the reactive hyperemia index (RHI, LnRHI). A prospective, descriptive and comparative study was conducted on a population of pregnant women aged over 20 and under 36, located in the gestational age group 24-38th week of amenorrhea. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 (G1): group of pregnancies without diabetes, consists of pregnant women with no risk factor for gestational diabetes and with normal fasting blood glucose. Group 2 (G2): group of pregnancies with diabetes, includes pregnancies whose oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) came back positive. Anthropo-physiological parameters (age, weight, height, blood pressure (PA) and biochemical parameters (glycemia, insulinemia, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides) were measured. RHI and LnRHI were determined at Endopat 2000. The two groups were matched for age, weight, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). Levels of glucose (G1:0.76±0.11; G2:1.11±0.11; p˂0.0001), insulin (G1:7.67±4.35; G2:22.9±3.75; p˂0.0001), HOMA-IR (G1:1.51±0.97; G2:6.29±1.23; p˂0.0001), total cholesterol (G1:1±0.81; G2:2.49±0.74; p=0.002), HDL cholesterol (G1:0.45±0.23; G2: 0.8±0.19; p=0.004, LDL cholesterol (G1:0.42±0.54; G2:1.39±0.6; p=0.004), triglycerides (G1:0.65±0.49; G2:1.48±0.27; p=0.0018), were significantly higher in the diabetic group. Both RHI and LnRHI were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (respectively, r=-0.8931, p

The French society of clinical biology "Biochemical markers of COVID-19" has set up a working group with the primary aim of reviewing, analyzing and monitoring the evolution of biological prescriptions according to the patient's care path and to look for markers of progression and severity of the disease. This study covers all public and private sectors of medical biology located in metropolitan and overseas France and also extends to the French-speaking world. This article presents the testimonies and data obtained for the "Overseas and French-speaking countries" sub-working group made up of 45 volunteer correspondents, located in 20 regions of the world. In view of the delayed spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the overseas regions and the French-speaking regions have benefited from feedback from the first territories confronted with COVID-19. Thus, the entry of the virus or its spread in epidemic form could be avoided, thanks to the rapid closure of borders. The overseas territories depend very strongly on air and/or sea links with the metropolis or with the neighboring continent. The isolation of these countries is responsible for reagent supply difficulties and has necessitated emergency orders and the establishment of stocks lasting several months, in order to avoid shortages and maintain adequate patient care. In addition, in countries located in tropical or intertropical zones, the diagnosis of COVID-19 is complicated by the presence of various zoonoses (dengue, Zika, malaria, leptospirosis, etc.).

Introduction and background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a condition caused by inappropriate stimulation of macrophage cells with hemophagocytosis. This paper aims to describe its diagnostic specifics and etiology and seeks to identify the factors that affect its prognosis in the black African adult population. Methods A retrospective multicentre study was carried out in three medical units in Senegal: Department of Internal Medicine at Pikine Teaching Hospital, and Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Nephrology at Aristide Le Dantec Teaching Hospital; the study covered the period from January 1, 2012 to March 30, 2015. This study included patients aged 18 years and older with a Hemophagocytosis Score (HScore) of ≥202 (with probabilities of acquired HLH of >90%). The data was obtained through medical records. Results In total, 26 patient files were included. The average age of the patients was 41 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.25:1. Fever and cytopenia were frequent. Other clinical signs included peripheral lymphadenopathy (69.2%), hepatomegaly (53.8%), splenomegaly (34.6%), neurological disorders (34.5%), and respiratory disorders (15.3%). Thrombocytosis was noted in three cases. Renal involvement was present in eight patients, with one case of collapsing glomerulopathy. The bone marrow aspirate revealed myelodysplasia in 12 patients. The dominant etiologies of HLH were hematological malignancies and infections. The mortality rate of HLH was 73%. Male gender and non-etiological targeted therapy were significantly associated with mortality. However, the age of

The aim of this study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal complications in pregnant patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and find risk factors of stillbirth.We conducted a prospective study in pregnant women with SCD. Demographic characteristics, maternal and fetal morbi-mortality, and outcome of pregnancies were described. Risk factors of fetal loss were evaluated by comparing the parameters of the pregnancies that led to a live birth with those interrupted.We included 70 pregnancies in 58 women with SCD. The average age was 29.3 years. The average gestational age at the start of follow-up was 13 weeks. The occurrence of acute complications was significantly higher during pregnancy compared to the year before (p 0.05). Maternal mortality was 0%. Live birth rate was 80%. Fetal loss rate was 3.9 times higher in previous pregnancies that had not been monitored in hematology (71.8 versus 18.6%). Stillbirth was associated with nulliparity, high leukocytes or platelet counts (p 0.05).Pregnancy in SCD was associated with a high maternal morbidity and stillbirth. Nulliparity, high leucokocytes or platelet count were identified as risk factors of fetal loss.

Introduction. The realization of red cell exchange (RCE) in Africa faces the lack of blood, transfusion safety, and equipment. We evaluated its efficacy and safety in severe complications of sickle cell disease. Patients and Method. Manual partial RCE was performed among sickle cell patients who had severe complications. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical evolution, blood count, and electrophoresis of hemoglobin. Safety was evaluated on adverse effects, infections, and alloimmunization. Results. We performed 166 partial RCE among 44 patients including 41 homozygous (SS) and 2 heterozygous composites SC and 1 S/β0-thalassemia. The mean age was 27.9 years. The sex ratio was 1.58. The regression of symptoms was complete in 100% of persistent vasoocclusive crisis and acute chest syndrome, 56.7% of intermittent priapism, and 30% of stroke. It was partial in 100% of leg ulcers and null in acute priapism. The mean variations of hemoglobin and hematocrit rate after one procedure were, respectively, +1.4 g/dL and +4.4%. That of hemoglobin S after 2 consecutive RCE was −60%. Neither alloimmunization nor viral seroconversion was observed. Conclusion. This work shows the feasibility of manual partial RCE in a low-resource setting and its efficacy and safety during complications of SCD outside of acute priapism.

La rédaction du certificat médical est une étape cruciale dans la procédure judiciaire. Il est souhaitable que ce document à visée judiciaire soit rédigé dans une consultation médico-judiciaire. Les objectifs de notre étude étaient d'évaluer la qualité des certificats médicaux dans une consultation médico-judiciaire et d'étudier les critères de validité des certificats médicaux interprétatifs. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective portant sur les patients reçus à la consultation médico-judiciaire de l'Hôpital Général de Grand-Yoff, victimes de coups et blessures volontaires du mois d'avril 2012 au mois de février 2015. L'ensemble des certificats médicaux a été inclus dans une fiche d'enquête analysée par Epi Info version 6.04. L'ensemble des 249 certificats étudiés était imprimé en « Arial police 12 », lisible et compréhensible. Tous les certificats médicaux étudiés comportaient une identification complète du médecin et de la victime. La date et l'heure de l'agression figuraient sur 248 certificats (99,6%). Le type de violence subie était précisé sur l'ensemble des 249 certificats avec 164 rixes (65,9%), 64 agressions unilatérales (25,7%). La description précise des lésions figurait sur les 246 certificats où la nature des lésions a été donnée. La localisation des lésions était établie par rapport à des repères anatomiques fixes, dans les différents plans de l'espace. La consultation médico-judiciaire, coordonnée par le médecin légiste, a permis d'améliorer sensiblement la qualité des documents délivrés. Il demeure que la vulgarisation de ces pratiques de rédaction et de délivrance est nécessaire notamment au niveau des hôpitaux régionaux dans le cadre de la formation continue ou post doctorale.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is an orphan disease in Africa because of the inaccessibility to specific treatment and the high cost of diagnosis and monitoring patients. The aim of this study was to report CML treatment response in a developing country in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era. We conducted a longitudinal study of our cohort of CML patients. Socio-demographic, diagnosis, therapeutic, and treatment response parameters were studied. Sokal score, disease phase at diagnosis, delay from diagnosis to treatment, and treatment response were analyzed for their impact on survival. Fifty-five patients with a diagnosis of CML and who received treatment with imatinib for a minimum of 3 months were included in this study. Median follow-up was 170 patient-years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.62 and median age at diagnosis was 42 years. At diagnosis, 85.5 % of the patients were in chronic phase (CP), 12.7 % in accelerated phase (AP), and 1.8 % in blast crisis (BC). Sokal risk score distribution was as follows: low risk 29.8 %, intermediate risk 38.3 %, and high risk 31.9 %. Median time from first symptoms to first medical visit was 6.2 months and median time from first medical visit to cytogenetic and or molecular confirmation was 12.4 months. Mean delay time from first medical visit to imatinib initiation was 12.5 months (95 % CI 6.3-18.7). The complete hematologic response (CHR) at 3 months, the major cytogenetic response (MCR) at 12 months, and the major molecular response (MMR) at 24 months were respectively 82.4, 75, and 25 %. The 2-year overall survival rate was 81 %. Advanced phase at the diagnosis, discontinuation of imatinib therapy over 15 % of the time, lack of CHR at 3 months, lack of MCR at 12 months, and progression of the disease during imatinib therapy were associated with a risk of death (p ≤ 0.05). Our data confirm the improved prognosis of CML treated with imatinib in the setting of a developing country. However, response rates are lower than in developed countries, and additional efforts should be made to facilitate early diagnosis and improve access to TKI, treatment compliance, and regular molecular monitoring of patients.

Introduction : Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in Western populations, being rarer in Asian and African people. It has been suggested that patients with CLL from Africa might have a more aggressive disease compared with Causasien patients. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic factors that may account for this difference Methods: We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a total of 75 patients with CLL, 25 from Senegal (Africa), and 50 from Siena. Since it is well known that there are differences in germline IGH repertoires between different populations, we also collected PBMCs from five healthy Senegalese individuals as control. We analyzed immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) genes mutational status by performing next-generation sequencing in these 2 groups of patients. Results: We found that Senegalese patients more frequently had adverse prognostic factors and an unmutated profile. Furthermore, we documented that IGHV1 (IGHV1-69), IGHD3, and IGHJ6 were significantly more frequent in Senegalese patients, whereas IGHV3-30 was common and limited to the Italian cohort. Stereotyped receptors commonly detected in the white population were not recorded in our Senegalese series. Conclusion: The different IGH repertoire we observed in the Senegalese cohort may reflect the diverse genetic and microenvironmental (ie, polymicrobial stimulation) background. Disclosures Gozzetti: Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Key Clinical Message RDD (Rosai Dorfman disease) is a rare and benign histiocytic proliferative disorder of unknown etiology. FNAC (Fine-needle aspiration cytology) is a useful and reliable tool for the diagnosis of RDD, and as such, biopsy is avoidable.

Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in Western populations, being rarer in Asian and African people. It has been suggested that patients with CLL from Africa might have a more aggressive disease compared with white patients. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic factors that may account for this difference. Methods: We analyzed immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) genes' mutational status by performing next-generation sequencing in 25 Senegalese and 50 Italian patients with CLL. Results: We found that Senegalese patients more frequently had adverse prognostic factors and an unmutated profile. Furthermore, we documented that IGHV1 (IGHV1-69), IGHD3, and IGHJ6 were significantly more frequent in Senegalese patients, whereas IGHV3-30 was common and limited to the Italian cohort. Stereotyped receptors commonly detected in the white population were not recorded in our Senegalese series. Conclusions: The different IGH repertoire we observed in the Senegalese cohort may reflect the diverse genetic and microenvironmental (ie, polymicrobial stimulation) background.

Background Circumcision in hemophiliacs is a delicate surgery because of bleeding risks that could be avoided by adequate substitution of coagulation factor. This practice is very challenging in countries where anti hemophilic treatment is inaccessible. The study aimed to evaluate a circumcision protocol in hemophilia A using low quantities of factor concentrates. Methods This prospective study included 26 hemophiliacs A who underwent circumcision in 2014. Medical treatment protocol using low quantity of factor concentrates was drafted by physicians of the Hemophilia Treatment Center and the surgical protocol by experienced surgeons. Assessment criteria were: number of hospitalization days, number of exposure days to factor concentrates, delay to healing and occurrence of bleeding events. Results Mean age was 9.6 years (1–30). Hemophiliacs patients were classified as severe (n = 8), moderate (n = 9) and mild form (n = 9). Mean number of exposure days to factor VIII concentrates was 6.9 days (5–12) in children and 10.75 days (7–16) in adults (p = 0.0049); mean number of hospitalization days was 3.68 days (2–10) in children and 13.5 days (13–15) in adults (p = 0.0000); delay to healing was 26.47 days (20–35) in children and 25.25 days (22–30) in adults (p = 0.697); five haemophiliacs (19.2%) presented bleeding events after the circumcision. The mean amount of FIII concentrates used per patient was 1743 IU (810–2340). Conclusion The study shows treatment protocol using low quantity of factor concentrates is efficient in hemophilia patients who underwent circumcision.

Objective: Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLs) could be associated with an increased risk of vascular pathologies in systemic scleroderma. The aim of our study was to search for APLs in patients affected by systemic scleroderma and to evaluate their involvement in the clinical manifestations of this disease. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study, from January 2009 until August 2010, with patients received at the Department of Dermatology (Dakar, Senegal). Blood samples were taken at the hematology laboratory and were analyzed for the presence of APLs. Results: Forty patients were recruited. Various types of either isolated or associated APLs were found in 23 patients, i.e. 57.5% of the study population. The most frequently encountered antibody was IgG anti-β2 GPI (37.5% of the patients), followed by anticardiolipins (17.5%) and lupus anticoagulants (5%). No statistically significant association of positive antiphospholipid-related tests to any of the scleroderma complications could be demonstrated. Conclusion: A high proportion of patients showing association of systemic scleroderma and APLs suggests the presence of a morbid correlation between these 2 pathologies. It would be useful to follow a cohort of patients affected by systemic scleroderma in order to monitor vascular complications following confirmation of the presence of antiphospholipid syndrome. Conflict of interest:None declared.

Background: Gestational diabetes is an intolerance of glucose with the first appearance during the pregnancy. This hyperglycaemia status, because of the pre-existing insulin-resistance, constitute a favourable land of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of non obese gestational diabetes on arterial stiffness by measuring the pulse wave velocity (PWV).Methods: We recruited 60 pregnant women aged from 20 to 35 years old. They were between twentieth four and thirtieth five weeks of gestational age. Subjects were divided into two groups: the first group (G1), considered as control group, included 25 normoglycemic pregnant subjects without any history of illness or risk factors of gestational diabetes; the second group (G2) included 35 women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). All pregnant women had not history of smoking, were not taking decoction or medicine, which could disturb pregnancy evolution. Anthropo-physiological and biochemical parameters studied, were: age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), triglyceride, cholesterol and HOMA-IR index. The PWV between finger and toe (PWVft) was measured by pOpmètre®.Results: The two groups are matched by age (G1:28±4ans; G2:29±3ans) and BMI (G1:25.6±1.27; G2:26.9±1.3). Blood pressure (BP) values are in normal interval (systolic BP: [110-132mmHg]; diastolic BP: [63-87mmHg]; mean BP: [79-103mmHg]). Total cholesterol (G1:0.95±0.08;G2:2.4±0.7; p˂0.0001), HDL cholesterol (G1:0.44±0.02; G2:0.76±0.2; p˂0.0001, LDL cholesterol (G1:0.40±0.05; G2:1.3±0.5; p˂0.0001), triglyceride (G1:0.57±0.45; G2:1.6±0.4;p˂0.0001), HOMA.IR (G1:1.31±1.05; G2:7.4±1.07; p˂0.01), PWVft (G1:5.99±1.23; G2:10.3±1.9; p˂0.0001) are significantly higher in diabetic group. PWVft is positively correlate to HOMA-IR index, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (r=0.3348, p=0.032; r=0.5275, p˂0.0001; r=0.4855,p˂0.0001; r=0.5581, p˂0.0001respectively).Conclusions: Gestational diabetes might induce an increase of pulse wave velocity expressing increment of arterial stiffness. This last constitute an early underlying cardiovascular risk.

Sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients are at high risk of developing malaria which is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in this disease. In Senegal, malaria transmission is high during rainy season, between July and October, and it was noted that sickle-cell crisis are frequent during this period. Then we carried out a double-blind randomized controlled trial to compare the impact of monthly sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during the high-transmission season versus placebo on malaria incidence and morbidity of sickle-cell anemia. Sixty (60) SCD patients were randomized either to receive three intermittent preventive treatment (ITP) with SP or placebo using the random permutation table with nine elements. The drug was administrated as follows: sulfadoxine 25 mg/kg and pyrimethamine 1.25 mg/kg and this treatment was given once during the following months: September, October, and November. Overall four episodes of malaria disease were diagnosed, all these cases in the placebo arm. Thus, overall prevalence was 6.6% and there was no other case of malaria in the SP arm during the study period. Parasitological diagnosis confirmed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum in all four cases. No patient death was encountered during the study. SP treatment was well tolerated as only one patient (1.6%) in the SP arm reported pruritus. A significant reduction of patients' complaints (p = 002) and blood requirements (p = 0.001) was noted in the SP group; whereas, no impact was observed on vaso-occlusive crisis and hospitalization occurrence. Malaria prophylaxis by monthly intake of SP during the transmission period of the parasite reduced the prevalence of malaria and was safe in SCD patients leaving in malaria endemic area.

Introduction: We reported a case of hemophagocytic syndrome complicating microscopic polyangitis presented by crescentic glomerulonephritis. Case Presentation: A 22-year-old female patient originated from Dakar, Senegal presented with nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. On physical examination, we noticed hyperchromic diffuse punctilious purpura skin lesions predominant on the trunk, the neck and the upper thigh. Immunology investigations revealed strongly positive anti SSA/Ro and antiSSB. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies had positive results with a peri-nuclear type fluorescence, specific to myeloperoxidase. In optic microscopy, renal biopsy showed a crescentic glomerulonephritis with circumferential cellular and fibrous proliferation affecting 85% of glomeruli. The diagnosis of microscopic polyangitis with renal and skin involvement was retained. The patient received methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide 700 mg/m 2 every 15 days for the first 3 pulses and every 21 days thereafter. After the 5 th month, she developed obnubilation, fever and central pancytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration was performed, which showed medullary invasion by macrophages with signs of hemophagocytosis. Diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome complicating a microscopic polyangitis was retained and methylprednisolone pulses started. The patient was under hemodialysis after follow-up of about 9 months with stable clinical state. Conclusions: The occurrence of SAM in pauci-autoimmune vasculitis is rarely described, particularly in Africa. Our case is an illustration of the reality of this association.

Little is known about the biological, epidemiological, and clinical risk factors for thrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE) among Black Africans. We undertook a study of the prevalence of VTE risk factors for thrombosis in a Senegalese population. A three-year cross-sectional and case-control study involving 105 cases and 200 controls was conducted in various hospitals in Dakar (Senegal). Our results demonstrate that oral contraception, immobilization by casts, surgery, and blood group were significantly associated with VTE occurrence. Additionally, 16 cases and 2 controls had protein S (PS) values of less than 48.4% (M-2SD), exhibiting a highly significant difference ( P < 1 x 10−4). The number of cases with a low protein C (PC) level was significantly higher than the respective number of controls. Using logistic regression methods, we established a correlation between significantly associated variables and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurrence. Age, obesity, sickle cell disease, and PC deficiency were not significantly associated with thrombosis. In contrast, gender, PS deficiency, varicose veins, surgery, non-O blood type, and the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies were significantly and independently associated with DVT. These findings are extremely useful for clinical management of patients suffering from DVT and can help to reduce the high recurrence rate observed in our study.

Background: Sickle cell trait carriers has long considered asymptomatic. This affirmation is now challenged because many patients complain of osteoarticular pain and several organic degenerative complications in particular; renal, eye and sudden death have been described. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morbidity of sickle cell trait and identify risk factors associated.Methods: This is a prospective study with duration of 16 months including 50 patients with sickle cell trait received regular visits (every 6 months) for painful events. Biological assessment was carried out systematically to eliminate rheumatic disease (CRP, ASLO, latex Waler Rose) or metabolic disorders (serum calcium, serum magnesium, and serum uric acid). A correlation between clinical and laboratory data was performed to study the relationship between morbidity observed and biological abnormalities.Results: Mean age of patients was 32 years (12-59) and mean age at diagnosis was 24 years (12-55 years). Sex ratio M/F was 0.16. Clinical symptoms were osteoarticular pain (88%), headache (86%), abdominal pain (76%), muscle cramps (70%), dizziness (56%), biliary lithiasis (6%), femoral head osteonecrosis (2%) and gross haematuria (2%). Seventeen patients (34%) had abnormal metabolic or rheumatic analysis. No risk factor associated with morbidity of patients was identified.Conclusions: This work has allowed us to find that the symptoms presented by sickle cell trait patients are dominated by painful events. This morbidity associated with porting sickle cell trait was not secondary to inflammatory or metabolic disorders or physical activity.

Introduction/ Background : Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease which can present as an aggressive and life threatening leukemia or as an indolent form that will not require treatment for decades. This heterogeneity has important consequences which will impact on clinical approaches, treatment strategies, and survival times from diagnosis. Prognostic markers such as expression of specific proteins in or on CLL cells (ie, CD38, 70-kD ζ-associated protein or CD49d), cytogenetic abnormalities (del 13q, del 11q, del 17p and trisomy 12) quantified by FISH and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgVH) gene mutation have all been very useful. Futhermore, patients with early-stage disease, with biologically aggressive disease and shorter survival times can be distiguished. However, these prognostic tests are expensive and require considerable technical expertise and equipment and thus are not available to many patients with CLL living in developing countries. Therefore less expensive prognostic markers are needed. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of smudge cells percentage on a blood smear in CLL patients. Patients and Methods : In this prospective study, 42 untreated patients with CLL have participated after signing a consent form. Patients were seen at our center between July 2011 and May 2015. Patients were diagnosed on the basis of an absolute lymphocyte count greater than 5.109/L and a demonstration of monoclonality using flow cytometry (panel comprising CD19, CD5, CD22, CD23, FMC7, and surface Ig). Staging was done according to the Binet staging system. CD38 surface expression was determined by flow cytometry in all patients. The cytogenetic abnormalities : del 13q, del 11q, del 17p and trisomy 12, were performed by FISH and available for 25 patients.Smudge cells were defined as broken cells with no intact cytoplasm and a disrupted nuclear membrane (Figure 1). The smudge cell percentage is estimated by counting 200 lymphocytes and/or smudge cells; the smudge cell number is then divided by total number of cells counted (smudge cells + intact lymphocytes) and multiplied by 100. Each slide was evaluated by 2 hematologists and the blood smears were prepared using a manual wedge method. Categorical variables were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test (p Results : The mean age was 63 years ranging from 48 to 85. There were 31 males and 11 females (sex ratio=2.81). At the time of diagnosis 81% of the patients were classified as having advanced Binet stages B or C. The median lymphocyte count was 189.9 109/L (ranges, 5.2 - 887 109/L). The prognostic marker CD38 was positive in 28 patients, while 11 patients had 13q del, 7 patients Trisomy 12, 3 del 11d and 3 del 17p. The median smudge cell percentage was 20.1% (range, 4 - 80%) and 30 patients had a percentage less than 30. We found no correlation of proportion of smudge cells with age (p=0.19) and sex (p=0.76). However there was a significant correlation with the Binet stage (p=0.0002), the CD38 expression (p=0.04) and a negative correlation with the lymphocyte count (p=0,01) (r= -0,38). Conclusion: A low percentage of smudge cells (less than 30%) is associated with high lymphocyte count, advanced Binet stage (B or C) and positive CD38. Simple, accessible and inexpensive, the percentage of smudge cells on a routine blood smear could be a prognostic test available to all patients with CLL especially those in countries with limited resources. Figure 1. Blood smears of patients with CLL. A, B, C : presence of smudge cells (arrows). D : blood smear without smudge cells. Figure 1. Blood smears of patients with CLL. A, B, C : presence of smudge cells (arrows). D : blood smear without smudge cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Imatinibmesylate has significantly improved the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, with less toxicity than previous chemotherapy. Methods: We describe the profile of hematological side effects or not Imatinib mesylate; through a retrospective study of 1 June 2006 to 31 June 2011, led to the unity of Hematology Le Dantec in Dakar (Senegal) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, imatinibmesylate treated. Chemotoxicity was classified according to WHO grades. Results: A total of 55 patients followed; 24 (43.6%) had non-hematological side effects of grade 1-2, dominated by diffuse depigmentation (15 cases), followed by musculoskeletal symptoms (10 cases), digestive (6 cases), infection (4 cases) and secondary amenorrhea (1 case). Cytopenias observed in 34 patients, were more grade 1-2 (58.2%). Conclusion: The side effects are common, rarely severe as reported in the literature. Our study is unique in the high frequency of diffuse depigmentation unlike western series.

The incidence of CLL in Africa is not known for several reasons, among them the difficulty to access the diagnosis since there is only clinical features and cytology which are available in several countries in francophone Africa, especially in Senegal. The WHO criteria which have been published since 2001 from the first revised WHO classification of tumours of haematopoitic and lymphoid tissues cannot be applied since there is no facility for immunophenotyping and cytogenetic. Moreover, no research in place can be set up without any precise diagnosis. In this study, we have developed the flow cytometry technique in the laboratory of Immunology in CHU Le Dantec in Dakar to obtain the immunophenotype looking at the expression of Kappa/lambda light chains, CD19, CD22, CD20, FMC7, CD5, CD10, CD23, CD38. Peripheral blood smears were fixed according to the technique for FISH to detect the following cytogenetic abnormalities: trisomy12, deletion 13q14, deletion 11q22-23, deletion 17p. RNA to test by qRT-PCR the expression of microRNA mir15a, mir16-1, mir181a, mir181b, and mir 34a and 34b was obtained from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Twelve cases of CCL aged ranging from 50 to 80 year old were characterized at clinical level according to the Binet’s system: 1 stage A, 5 stage B, 6 stages C. In most of cases (9 cases) hyperlymphocytosis of small lymphocytes with clumped chromatin and scanty cytoplasm was very high (122.000 to 336 000/mm3). The “Matutes” score obtained by immunophenotyping was 5 or 4 for 11 patients in favor of typical CLL. The expression of CD38 which is a marker of unfavorable prognosis is positive in 9 patients. Nine patients had cytogenetic abnormalities: 3 trisomy 12, 6 del 13q14, 2 del 11q22-23, 1 del17p. Four patients had two simultaneous cytogenetic abnormalities (tri 12, tri 13 ; del13q14, del11q22-23 ; del13q24, del17p ; del13q24, tri12). The analysis of mi-RNA showed high expression of mir15a and mir 16-1 and low value of mir181a and mir 181b which were described in aggressive CLL ; however the expression of mir 34a and mir34b was also high. This study shows the aggressiveness of CLL in Senegal, probably due to the delay of the diagnosis. We have also demonstrated the possibility to set up immunophenotype and the possibility of a precise diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder in place, in western Africa and the series will be extended. Moreover we have also demonstrated the possibility to construct translational research project from samples characterized in the University Hospital in Dakar gathering the cases from different sanitary structures in the country. Such experiment would be a model for epidemiologic, clinico-biologic and translational research studies in order to set up in the country the capacity building for diagnosis and research. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.