International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 3, 367-387, Copyright © 1985 by AlphaMed Press
CFU-gm assay, cytochemical and electron microscopic studies in agar in patients with preleukemic syndrome and aplastic anemia
G Konwalinka, C Peschel, F Schmalzl, HE Schaefer, D Geissler, G Schuler, H Huber, B Tomaschek, R Odavic and H Braunsteiner
Thirty-seven patients with chronic cytopenia were studied using a CFU- gm
assay in agar. Cell proliferation was evaluated on days 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10
of incubation. Growth patterns were different in cultures of
hematologically healthy persons versus patients with preleukemic syndrome
(PL) and aplastic anemia (AA). Three types of PL syndrome and two types of
AA (C1 and C2) were distinguished. Bone marrow dysfunction was evaluated
further using cytochemistry and electron microscopy to morphologically
study cell proliferation in vitro. Cytochemical staining performed in agar
demonstrated well-defined maturation defects in myelopoietic precursor
cells from the bone marrow of PL patients. Electron microscopic findings of
Auer-body-like inclusions in "statu nascendi" in the vacuoles of
preleukemic cells supported our results. PL patient groups at high risk for
development of overt leukemia and patients with grave prognosis in AA were
distinguished. Our results are relevant for the clinical diagnosis and
prognosis of patients with cytopenia.
