Clin Oncol | Volume 4, Issue 1 | Case Report | Open Access

Beta Thalassaemia Trait as a Likely Link between HyperReactive Malarial Splenomegaly and Myeloproliferative Disorders

Taiwo Kotila^1*, Hassan Odebiyi², Taofeek Lawal³, Olateni Adeoye² and Khadijat Shonde-Adebola²

¹Department of Hematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
²Department of Hematology, University College Hospital, Nigeria
³Department of Histopathology, University College Hospital, Nigeria

^*Correspondance to: Taiwo R Kotila 

Abstract

The various Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDs) have been reported in patients with beta thalassaemia, a disorder characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and marrow stress. Hyperreactive Malarial Splenomegaly (HMS) associated with massive splenomegaly is a diagnosis of exclusion in malaria endemic region. Here, we describe a patient who was treated as HMS without response, but two decades later developed primary proliferative polycythaemia. Beta Thalassaemia Trait (BTT) is believed to be the link between HMS and MPD in the patient because of the low red cell indices and high red cell distribution width in the presence of normal iron store. The possibility of BTT should therefore be considered in cases with HMS, it could also be possible that a cohort of patients with BTT have the Janus Kinase 2 mutations which predispose them to developing MDS.

Keywords:

Red cell indices; Red cell distribution width; Ineffective erythropoiesis; Janus Kinase; Stressed marrow

Citation:

Kotila T, Odebiyi H, Lawal T, Adeoye O, Shonde-Adebola K. Beta Thalassaemia Trait as a Likely Link between HyperReactive Malarial Splenomegaly and Myeloproliferative Disorders. Clin Oncol. 2019; 4: 1621.