Chapter 14: Anemias Flashcards
In general, what are macrocytic vs. microcytic anemias each caused by?
- Macrocytic = abnormalities that impair maturation of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow
- Microcytic = disorders of hemoglobin synthesis (most often iron deficiency)
Which mean cell volume (fL) is indicative of micro- vs. macrocytic anemia?
- MCV <80 = microcytic
- MCV >100 = macrocytic
What does an elevated Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) tell us?
- That marrow is pumping out reticulocytes (larger cells)
- Elevated RDW is a reactive phenomenon observed in states of anemia with a functioning marrow
Which changes are seen in red cells, white cells, and platelets with acute blood loss?
- Leukocytosis
- Reticulocytosis
- Thrombocytosis
A male or post-menopausal female presenting with iron-deficiency anemia is indicative of what until proven otherwise?
GI tract lesion
Hemolytic anemias share what 3 features?
- A shortened red cell life span below typical 120 days
- ↑ EPO levels and compensatory ↑ in erythropoiesis
- Accumulation of hemoglobin degradation products as part of red cell hemolysis
What ar the 3 principal clinical features of extravascular hemolysis?
- Anemia
- Splenomegaly
- Jaundice
Patients with extravascular hemolysis often benefit from what?
Splenectomy due to much of the pathologic destruction of RBC’s occurring in the spleen
What are the 5 main manifestations of intravascular hemolysis?
- Anemia
- Hemoglobin-emia
- Hemoglobin-uria
- Hemosiderin-uria
- Jaundice
In all types of uncomplicated hemolytic anemias, the excess serum bilirubin is of what type?
Unconjugated
What happens to the levels of serum haptoglobin with extra- and intravascular hemolysis?
- Extravascular = variably decreased as some Hgb escapes phagocytes
- Intravascular = becomes markedly reduced–> freeHgboxidizes tomethemoglobin
Regardless of the cause of type of hemolytic anemia what morphological changes are seen in the peripheral blood and BM?
- ↑ numbers of erythroid precursors (normoblasts) in the marrow
- Prominent reticulocytosis in the peripheral blood
With chronic hemolysis, elevated biliary excretion of bilirubin promotes what?
Formation of pigment gallstones (cholelithiasis)
Hereditary spherocytosis is an inherited disorder caused by intrinsic defects in what?
Red cell membrane skeleton –> cells are spheroid, less deformable, and vulnerable to splenic sequestration
What is the inheritance pattern of hereditary spherocytosis; prevalence is highest where?
Autosomal Dominant (75% of cases); highest in Northern Europe
What is the characteristic morphology of the red cells seen on smears in pt with hereditary spherocytosis?
Small, dark-staining (hyperchromic) red cell lacking central zone of pallor
Characteristc morphology of the spleen in hereditary spherocytosis?
Moderate splenomegaly (500-1000 gm)
Red cells of hereditary spherocytosis are abnormally sensitive to what; what is the MCHC finding?
- Osmotic lysis when incubated w/ hypotonic salt solution
- HS red cells also have ↑ MCHC, due to dehydration caused by loss of K+ and H2O
Characteristic clinical findings of hereditary spherocytosis are what; some may be asymptomatic but most will have what type of anemia?
- Splenomegaly + jaundice + anemia +/- gallstones
- CHRONIC hemolytic anemia of mild to moderate severity
Aplastic crises occurring in the setting of hereditary spherocytosis is often triggered by what?
Parvovirus B19 infection (ssDNA virus)
How is the anemia and its complications in hereditary spherocytosis treated?
Splenectomy
What are the most common triggers responsible for the episodic hemolysis seen with G6PD deficiency?
- Infections: viral hepatitis, pneumonia, and typhoid fever
- Drugs: ASA, diphenhydramine, antimalarials, sulfonamides, and nitrofurantoins
- Foods: including simple CHO’s, tonic water, sulfites (wine and dried fruit), and fava beans** (endemic in Mediterranean, ME, and Africa)
The acute intravascular hemolysis is greater in pt’s with which variant of G6PD deficiency?
Mediterranean variant
What is seen 2-3 days following exposure of G6PD-deficienct pt’s to oxidants?
Acute intravascular hemolysis marked by anemia, hemoglobinemia, andhemoglobinuria
Sickle cell disease is due to a point mutation at which codon of β-globin; causes the replacement of which AA’s?
6th codon of β-globin causing replacement of glutamate —> valine
Why do patients with hereditary persistence of HbF experience less severe sickle cell disease?
HbF inhibits polymerization of HbS even more than HbA
Why do individuals who are homozygous for HbS but also have co-existent α-thalassemia have decreased severity of disease?
- α-thalassemia reduces Hgb synthesis which ↓ MCHC
- ↑ MCHC levels facilitate sickling
What factor is responsible for the vascular occlusion seen most prominently in the spleen, bone marrow, and inflammed tissues in a pt with sickle cell disease?
- BM/Spleen = sluggish blood flow through microvascular beds
- Inflammed = slowed blood due to adhesion of leukocytes to activated endothelial cells and transudation of fluid thru leaky vessels
Which AA’s are swapped in the HbC variant?
Glutamic acid —> lysine (“lyCine”) in 6th AA of β-globin
How does the release of free hemoglobin from lysed sickle red cells contribute to vasoconstriction, ↑ platelet aggregation, stasis, sickling, and thrombosis?
Free Hbg can bind and inactivate NO, which is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation
Which crises due to vaso-occlusion is extremely common in children w/ sickle cell disease; how does it manifest?
- Painful bone crises and often difficult to distinguish from osteomyelitis
- Most frequently manifest as hand-foot syndrome or dactylitis of the bones of the hands or feet, or both
Up to 45% of males with sickle cell disease are affected by what after puberty?
Priapism –> may lead to hypoxic damage and ED
How does acute chest syndrome as a complication of sickle cell disease present?
Fever + cough + chest pain + pulmonary infiltrates
Sequestration crises occur in which pt’s with sickle cell disease and how does it manifest?
- Children w/ intact spleens
- Massive entrapment of sickle red cells leads to rapid splenic enlargement + hypovolemia, and sometimes shock
- May be fatal
A sudden worsening in the anemia of a patient with sickle cell disease should prompt you to consider what underlying cause?
Aplastic crises due to Parvovirus B19
Chronic hypoxia in children with sickle cell disease is responsible for impairment in what?
Growth and development, as well as organ damage affecting spleen, heart, kidney, and lungs
Sickling provoked by hypertonicity in the renal medulla causes damage and eventually leads to what?
Hyposthenuria (inability to concentrate urine) –> ↑ propensity for dehydration
What is the most common cause of death in adults vs. children w/ sickle cell disease?
- Adults = Acute Chest Syndrome
- Children = Haemophilus influenzae
How does the morphology of the spleen change from childhood to early adulthood in pt with sickle cell disease?
- Children have splenomegaly due to red pulp congestion caused by trapping of sickled cells in the cords and sinus
- Early adulthood will have autosplenectomy as chronic erythrostasis leads to splenic infarction, fibrosis, and progressive shrinkage
Leg ulcers are a common finding in which patients with sickle cell disease?
Adults
Which is more common and serious, Hgb C or Hgb SC disease?
Hgb SC is more common and severe
What is the distinctive morphology of Hgb C which may be seen on routine peripheral blood smear?
Crystalline form
The defects in globin synthesis that underlie thalassemia disorders cause anemia through what 2 mechanism?
- ↓ red cell production
- ↓ red cell life-span
*NOT primarily hemolysis*
How is β-globin synthesis affected in β0 mutations vs. β+ mutations; what is the most common underlying mutation for each?
- β0 mutation: absent β-globin synthesis; most commonly due to chain terminator mutation
- β+ mutation: reduced (but detectable) β-globin synthesis; most commonly due to splicing mutations
Impaired β-globin synthesis in β-thalassemia causes a deficit in HbA synthesis producing what type of red cells?
“Underhemoglobinized” hypochromic, microcytic red cells
What occurs to the unpaired α-chains seen in β-thalassemia; what is the proximal cause of most red cell pathology?
- Precipitate within red cell precursors, forming insoluble inclusions
- Prox. cause of red cell pathology is membrane damage caused by these inclusions; also undergo apoptosis