Basophils, histamine and gastric acid secretin in chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Fourteen patients with polycythaemia rubra vera (PRV) and four with chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL) were studied to examine the relationship between basophil counts, blood histamine, gastric acid secretion and dyspepsia or peptic ulceration. Basophil counts and blood histamine were markedly raised in untreated CGL but only marginally increased in other cases. Blood histamine and basophil counts were well correlated. Gastric acid secretion was normal in 10 out of 11 cases, and did not correlate with blood histamine values. The previously reported high incidence of dyspepsia and peptic ulceration is examined and its mechanisms are discussed.