Role of myeloperoxidase index in differentiation of megaloblastic and aplastic anemia.

BACKGROUND Elevated neutrophil myeloperoxidase may have a role in the diagnosis of megaloblastic erythropoiesis. AIMS To study the differentiating role of myeloperoxidase index in megaloblastic and aplastic anemia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN The myeloperoxidase index (MPXI) was studied in 96 patients with megaloblastic and aplastic anemia diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS MPXI was measured with Technicon H1 (Bayer) automated analyzer. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to compare the MPXI values between groups. RESULTS The mean MPXI in megaloblastics and aplastic anemia was 18.3 and 1.8 (p< 0.001) respectively. MPXI> 20 denoted megaloblastic and MPXI <-11.6 denoted aplastic anemia. CONCLUSION MPXI measurement may assist differentiation of megaloblastic from aplastic anemia, while MPXI> 20 rules out aplastic and MPXI <-11.6 rules out megaloblastic anemia.