OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the RNA content in reticulocytes by means of flow cytometry allows us to differentiate three reticulocyte populations by their degree of maturity: @entity37462 , MFR and HFR. We have studied the value of those reticulocyte subpopulations for the differential diagnosis in @entity6582 . @entity1 AND METHODS: We have studied 25 @entity6582 @entity1 , 12 of these were diagnosed of @entity6582 vera (PV) and 13 of secondary @entity6582 (PS). Reticulocytes and their different reticulocyte populations were automatically analyzed by flow cytometry using the Sysmex R-2000 analyzer (TOA Corp. Japan). We calculated the reticulocyte maturity index (RMI) which is the percentage of the equation (MFR + HFR) x 100/ @entity37462 (9). We have also studied hemogram parameters (Hct, Hb, VCM, HCM, RDW, leukocytes and platelets), @entity68 metabolism (serum @entity68 , ferritin, @entity69 and @entity69 saturation index), and @entity1307 levels. The findings were statistically analyzed using the Pearson correlation test and the comparison tests of averages of independent samples (Student's t). RESULTS: @entity1 with PV present high RMI and MFR + HFR (medium and high fluorescence reticulocytes) as compared with secondary @entity6582 . We did not find any correlation between RMI and other analytical parameters ( @entity1307 , ferritin, serum @entity68 , @entity69 ), except for the @entity69 saturation index (TSI), with a correlation factor r: 0.5486 for p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: This higher proportion of younger reticulocytes in PV might be explained because they are a parameter that would reflect the expansion of erythropoietic bone progenitor cells, which would be more increased in PV than in PS. However, another possible explanation would consist in the existence of associated ferropenia in PVs, which lead to an increase in cytoplasmic levels of @entity69 receptor mRNA.

[Value of analyzing reticulocyte subpopulations in XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'PATIENTS'] @entity6582 :: ('MESH:D011086', 'Disease') :: ['polycythemia'] @entity69 :: ('7018', 'Gene') :: ['transferrin'] @entity1307 :: ('2056', 'Gene') :: ['erythropoietin'] @entity37462 :: ('55600', 'Gene') :: ['LFR'] @entity68 :: ('MESH:D007501', 'Chemical') :: ['iron']
@entity6582 :: (MESH:D011086,Disease) :: ['polycythemia']
