[Erythrocytic and immunologic abnormalities in myeloid splenomegaly]

Screening for red cell defects, and exploration of cellular and humoral immunity has been performed in 33 patients : 31 had agnogenic myelosclerosis with myeloid metaplasia, 3 had polycythemia vera with secondary myelosclerosis. No patient had the biological abnormalities characteristical of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (Marchiafava-Micheli). In 19 out of 21 cases, red cells had antigen i on their membrane, thus suggesting that splenic erythropoiesis could give rise to immature erythrocytes. Two patients had a monoclonal dysglobulinemia, 5 a positive Coombs test, 6 a rhumatoid factor in the serum, 3 antitissue antibodies, 1 LE cells, 3 a positive Paul-Bunnel-Davidsohn test without mononucleosis, 11 a negative skin test. Implications of the uncommon occurrence of these dissorders are discussed.