Neutrophil myeloperoxidase measurement uncovers masked megaloblastic anemia
[see comments]
ML Gulley, SA Bentley and DW Ross
Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine,
Chapel Hill 27599.
We report the observation of a high neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity
(MPXI) in patients with megaloblastic anemia. MPXI is rapidly measured as
part of an automated complete blood count (Technicon H*1, Technicon
Instruments Corp, Tarrytown NY). We describe the range of MPXI levels in
healthy and patient populations and in 10 cases of megaloblastic anemia,
including five having elevated mean cell volume (MCV) and five without
macrocytosis. Regardless of the MCV, our megaloblastic patients had
hypersegmented neutrophils and elevated MPXI levels without visible
alteration of granule content. MPXI measurement may be particularly useful
in identifying cases of "masked megaloblastic anemia" where the MCV is
below 100 fL. The advantage of the MPXI over other methods of uncovering
masked megaloblastic anemia is its simplicity when performed as part of a
routine complete blood count on an automated hematology instrument.
Volume 76,
Issue 5,
pp. 1004-1007,
09/01/1990
Copyright © 1990 by The American Society of Hematology