MICROBIOLOGICAL INDUCTION OF ACANTHOCYTOSIS

Abstract

Acantocytosis is associated with various diseases among which are a β-lipoproteinemia, a genetic disease, following splenectomy, following exposure to toxic chemical, and massive carcinoid tumor. No previous studies have, up to the best knowledge of the author, reported acanthocytosis to be induced by pathogens. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential of β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A to induce acanthocytosis. The methodology of the present study involved incubation of β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A with blood samples, examining blood films of patients diagnosed with β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A and examining urine samples showing acanthocytosis for β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A. Study findings confirmed that acanthocytosis was induced by β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A, and patients diagnosed with β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A showed acanthocytosis in their blood smears. Urine samples showing acnathocytes in microscopic examination were positive for β-hemolytic Streptococcus group A. Taken together, Acanthocytosis is a diagnostic feature of β-lipoproteinemia, a genetic disease. Our data pointed to a new causative agent in which β- hemolytic Streptococcus group A induces acanthocytosis with high potential to play a new etiological agent in pathogenesis of diseases. Our data are preliminary findings that need to be further investigations since pathogens seem to have non-classical roles and new pathological studies are required to explore such roles.