[Cytological characteristics of erythropoiesis in thalassemia. I. Functional characteristics of the nucleated elements of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow].

In 24 patients affected with thalassaemia of various degrees of seriousness the functional condition of nuclear cells or red serie was investigated in the bone-marrow. The investigation was carried out by analyzing partial erythroblastogrammes, evaluating proliferative activity according to the 3H-thymidine marking index and determining ineffective erythropoiesis by means of nucleated PAS-positive erythroblasts. The findings reveal the degree of seriousness of the disease being directly dependent on the extent of functional disturbances in the cells of the erythropoietic system.