8. RBC Morphology Flashcards
What is the normal morphology of species like K9, Felid, avian/reptile/amphibian/fish, and caellidae
K9 - biconcave disc shape with a distinct area of central pallor
Feline - Round with little or no central pallor
Avian, reptiles, amphibians and fish all have nucleated RBC’s
Camellidae have elliptical RBC’s
What is the abbreviation of RDW?
Red cell distribution width
How does erlichia and anaplasma present in the cell?
various species of organisms affect cattle and dogs
transmitted by arthropod or ticks
significant name changes within this group of parasites has occurred in recent years
Gram neg, rod-shaped, spherical, coccoid, or ring-shaped bodies within the RBC - must be different btw howell-jolly bodies
Blood smears from buffy coat may help dx.
dx usually confirmed by ELISA test
How does babesia canis present?
A protozoan infection
transmitted by ticks
prod severe hemolytic anemia
usually appears as paired teardrop shaped organisms within RBC
Organisms stain darker than the rest of the RBC
Babesia cabelli similar but found in horses
Babesia spp. affect cattle, goats, sheep, and cats
How do viral inclusions present?
distember inclusions are rarely seen in dogs
when found, appear as faint blue to magenta, round structures of variable size and number
Usually seen in polychromatophilic RBC
can be seen in neuutrophils as well
How can we quantify abnormal morphology?
subjective assessment - at least 200 cells should be examined (100x magnification in a non-anemic patent)
2 systems
Slight, moderate, marked
1+, 2+, 3+, 4+
How can we quantify rouleaux using the # rating, # of free cells, # of chains, and # of cells in a chain
1+, majority of cells are free, some chains of cells, max of 2-3 cells
2+, at least 1/2 of the cells are free, many chains of cells, usually <5
3+ almost no free cells are present, most cells are in chains, >5
How can we organize CBC tests?
Tests should be done in the same order to minimize things being missed. Could also organize them into categories like
Direct measurements
microscopic procedures
calculations
What could all go into direct measures?
PCV, RBC count, MCV, WBC count, Total protein, platelet count, mean platelet volume
What could all go into microscopic procedures?
differntial WBC count
WBC estimation
toxic change
RBC morphology
Platelet mophology and estimation
Reticulocyte enumeration
What are some calculations that are included in CBCs
Absolute WBC count
Absolute reticulocyte count
RBC indices - MCV, MCHC, MCH
Hemoglobin conc
How should we report the data collected?
organize by cell line or cell gradment
EX. leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets
Keep each cell line info together and always in the same order for more efficient interpretation of results
