Blood Film Flashcards
What is basophilic stippling?
Blue staining of ribosomal precipitates within the cytoplasm of red blood cells
Suggests disturbed RBC production; seen in megaloblastic anaemia, thalassaemias, sideroblastic anaemia, lead poisoning, and alcohol abuse.
What are Howell Jolly Bodies?
Single peripheral bodies within red cells representing DNA material
Their presence suggests hyposplenism.
What are schistocytes?
Fragments of red blood cells seen in microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA)
Typically irregularly shaped and jagged; associated with thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
What do target cells represent?
High levels of membrane excess
Seen in obstructive liver disease, haemoglobinopathies, and post-splenectomy; small numbers may be seen in iron deficiency anaemia.
What is rouleaux formation?
Stacks of aggregated RBC
Occurs when plasma protein concentration is high, such as in multiple myeloma and other paraproteinemias.
What are echinocytes?
RBC with spikes due to changes in plasma composition
Associated with liver or renal disease and vitamin E deficiency.
What are Cabot rings?
Slender loops in the cytoplasm of red blood cells
Seen in megaloblastic anaemia, lead poisoning, and other conditions.
What is anisocytosis?
Variation in RBC size
Caused by low MCV (iron deficiency, sickle cell, chronic disease) or high MCV (megaloblastic anaemia, liver disease, myelodysplasia).
What are acanthocytes?
RBC that appear spiked
Associated with liver disease, anorexia, and hypothyroidism.
What are tear drop cells?
RBC seen in thalassemia due to macrophage damage
Caused by dysfunctional RBCs.
What are bite cells?
Erythrocytes with part removed by spleen
Seen in G6PD deficiency and thalassemia.
What does the number of lobes in a neutrophil nucleus indicate?
Neutrophil maturity.
What does a left shift indicate?
Presence of immature cells including band cells
Primarily seen in acute infection; severe left shift suggests myeloproliferative disorders.
What does a right shift signify?
Prevalence of hypermature neutrophils with more than five nuclear lobes
Less common than left shift; primarily seen in chronic infections.
What are ring sideroblasts?
Cells seen in myelosplasia syndrome
Associated with isoniazid due to vitamin B6 deficiency.
