Detection of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clones in cases of deep vein thrombosis in a tertiary care centre, western Rajasthan

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria is a rare acquired disease characterized by bone marrow failure, intravascular haemolysis and thrombophilia. Thrombosis is the deadliest complication of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). The present study was conducted to study the prevalence of PNH in cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which was previously undocumented from western Rajasthan. METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study, 61 adult patients with DVT were tested using flow cytometry to detect PNH clones. Blood samples were processed using fluorescein-labelled proaerolysin, CD14, CD24, CD33 and CD45 panels for granulocytes and monocytes and CD59 and CD235a panel for red blood cells. RESULTS: Three cases (4.92%) having large clones on monocytes as well as granulocytes, which fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PNH were detected. Further, three cases (4.92%) showed small clones on both granulocytes and monocytes. Nine (15%) cases showed small clones only on granulocytes, and 11 (18%) cases showed small clones only on monocytes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that a higher proportion of patients had PNH in western Rajasthan compared to previously reported studies from elsewhere. It is suggested that PNH testing should be added to the procoagulant work-up panel in institutions of this region where it is not routinely done. This provides an otherwise missed opportunity to diagnose this disorder. Eculizumab may be employed, which is effective in reducing thrombophilic events in cases of PNH.