OBSERVATIONS ON A CASE OF ERYTHREMIC MYELOSIS

Abstract

A 48-year-old Bantu male presented with anemia, neutropenia, and thrombopenia, the bone marrow showing the features of erythremic myelosis. The cytoplasm of the normoblasts contained numerous periodic acid-Schiff (P. A. S.) positive granules. The serum vitamin B12 content was 575 uug/ml, and the mean cell life of the erythrocytes 17 days. Steroid therapy aided the control of hemorrhagic manifestations. The patient died 5 months later, with acute monoblastic leukemia. Serum vitamin B12 assay and P.A.S. staining of the marrow may aid in the diagnosis of erythremic myelosis.