Blood cells and their immunological & clinical significance - 1 Flashcards
blood components
- erythrocytes
- leukocytes - phagocytes + lymphocytes
- thrombocytes
- plasma - non cellular
erythrocytes function
contain Hb which carries O2 from lungs to tissues
leukocytes functions
- phagocytes - first line of defence by ingesting pathogens
- lymphocytes - secrete antibodies and mediate cellular immunity
thrombocytes function
prevent bleeding by aiding in clotting
plasma functions
- transport of cellular components of blood
- transport of nutrients, hormones, proteins
- removal of waste products e.g. urea, lactic acid
blood investigations include :
- analysis of blood cells - look at cell numbers + proportions
- blood smears - shape & appearance
- analysis of plasma components
diagnostic ( what is it & what does it entail? )
- diagnosing a medical condition
- evaluating the health of an organ
- identifying certain genetic conditions
clinical ( what is it & what does it entail? )
- initiating right course of treatment
- choosing health care plan + management
- monitoring progress
- prognosis
Analysis of blood cells
analysis of RBC
- to find Hb concentration in blood
- to find RBC count
Analysis of blood cells
analysis of WBC
- to find total WBC count
- to measure % of each WBC or differential count
Analysis of blood cells
analysis of platelets
- to find platelet numbers
importance of RBC smears
- investigation of abnormally shapped RBC
- e.g. sickle cell, cellular parasites
importance of WBC smears
- investigation into WBC types + numbers
- e.g. abnormal lymphoblasts in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
importance of platelet smears
- investigation of size, shape, numbers
Full blood count (FBC)
- overall count of blood cells
- provides differential count
- measures size of blood cells
- measures Hb content in RBC
- used to evaluate health
- screening for blood disorders
typical FBC parameters include :
Abnormal RBC values
what does low RBC count or low haematocrit indicate? and causes?
- indication : anaemia
- causes : bone marrow failure, blood loss, hypervolemia
Abnormal RBC values
what does high RBC count or high haematocrit indicate? and causes?
- indication : polycythaemia
- causes : heart failure - hypoxemia
Abnormal MCV
what does high MCV indicate? and causes?
- indication : macrocytosis
- causes : vitamin deficiency, alcoholism
Abnormal MCV
what does low MCV indicate? and causes?
- indication : microcytosis
- causes : iron deficiency, bone marrow disorders
causes of low WBC count or leukopenia
viral infections, bone marrow disorders
high WBC count or leukocytosis
inflammatory diseae(arthritis), infectious disease
what does low platelet counts or thrombocytopenia indicate? and causes?
- indication : easy bruising and bleeding
- causes : leukaemia, chronic infections, HIV
what does high platelet count or thrombocytosis indicate? and causes?
- indication : enhances blood clot formation
- causes : acute infections
