Abstract

Introduction: The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Bangalore medical college and research institute between the period of February 2021 to August 2022. 100 cases of pancytopenia were included in the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy was done for these patients, also peripheral blood was taken on the same day of BMA and biopsy to assess peripheral blood parameters such as CBC, automated reticulocyte count, IRF and manual reticulocyte count. Among the 100 cases of pancytopenia, 33 were megaloblastic anemia on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, 21 cases of aplastic anemia, 10 acute leukemia, 9 cases of active marrow with no specific pathology, 5 cases of iron deficiency anemia, 4 cases of dual deficiency anemia, 4 cases of Tuberculosis, 3 cases of Myelofibrosis, 2 cases of hemolytic anemia. 1 case of bone marrow necrosis, Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, storage disorder and Myelodysplastic syndrome each on BMA and biopsy were also diagnosed. 4 cases were inadequate for evaluation on both bone marrow aspiration smears and biopsy.
Material and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were taken from pancytopenia patients having bone marrow aspiration and biopsy at BMCRI and affiliated institutions between February 2021 and August 2022, after approval and clearance from the Institute's ethical committee.
Result: The study was carried out at BMCRI and affiliated hospitals over the course of 18 months, from February 2021 to August 2022. The study comprised 100 patients with pancytopenia who satisfied the inclusion requirements. Age, sex, Hb, Hct, RBC count, manual reticulocyte count, corrected reticulocyte count, automated reticulocyte percentage, ARC, IRF, WBC count, platelet count, and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy results were among the measures used to assess the study participants.

Conclusion: The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Bangalore medical college and research institute between the period of February 2021 to August 2022.100 cases of pancytopenia were included in the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The contradiction of ARC and IRF values in various diagnoses in our study, when compared to other similar studies, can be attributed to prior treatment followed by partial marrow response before bone marrow examination. The automated reticulocyte count had a high sensitivity than manual reticulocyte count.

Key words: Pancytopenia, Megaloblastic anemia, Absolute reticulocyte count, IRF, Automated reticulocyte count.