Erythrocytes and Indices Flashcards
what are indices
series of measurements to determine size of RBCs and amount of hemoglobin, give idea of individual cells and appearance (classify anemia)
what the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) tells us
volume inside an average RBC
how to calculate MCV
PCV x 10 / RBC count= __femoliter
normal canine MCV
60/70 /fl
terms for smaller and bigger than normal RBCs (MCV)
microcytic (smaller), macrocytic (larger)
what the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) tells us
tells weight of hemoglobin inside average RBC
how to calculate MCH
Hgb x 10 / RBC count = ___picograms
normal canine MCH
19.5-24.5 pg
what the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) tells us
average amount of hgb concentration in a unit of volume
how to calculate MCHC
Hgb x 100 / PCV= __ g/dl
normal canine MCHC
32-36 g/dl
term for less than normal and normal MCHC values
hypochomic (less), normochromic (normal)
Indice values of iron deficient anemia
microcytic cells (small MCV), hypochromic (low MCH and MCHC; bc less iron -> less hbg
what are reticulocytes
immature erythrocyte in phase 3, no nucleus, phase just before mature, larger
how reticulocytes stain
bluish tint bc of nucleus remnants (polychromasia- multicolored RBCs)
reticulocytes are also called
polychromatophils (bc polychromasia)
define anisocytosis
variation in size of cells (ex: normal RBCs and reticulocytes)
define poikilocytes
abnormally shaped RBCs
what spherocytes look like
dense in color, smaller than normal (microcytic), sphere shaped
anemia associated w spherocytes
autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) immune system produces antibodies against RBCs, neutrophils unable to engulf whole RBC, only takes piece
what leptocytes look like, why?
cells w less volume (less hgb), flatten out and may fold or may appear as target cells
leptocytes are associated w
chronic anemia
what are Schistocytes
how do they usually occur
fractured or fragmented RBCs
usually from damage while circulating, usually blood vessel obstruction
what are acanthocytes(what they look like)
RBC w rounded/blunt projections, irregular borders
when would we see acanthocytes in blood
pigs (stress), liver disease, blood cancer
when would we see crenation of RBCs?
technical error; slide dried too slowly or has excessive moisture
what crenation RBCs look like
sharp starlike spicules (unlike acanthocytes that are blunt)
what are RBC inclusions
something suspended inside cell
a nucleated RBC is also called
a metrarubicyte (immate RBC w nucleus)
what is a howell-jolly body
blue nuclear fragment inclusion (small blue speck) immature cell
what are heinz bodies, how do they cause anemia
inclusion, round piece of denatured or altered hemoglobin on RBC; makes cells fragile and rupture
drug that causes heinz body anemia
acetaminophen (tylenol)
what is basophilic stippling
inclusions; RNA remnants appear as blue dots
when would we see basophilic stippling in RBCs
heavy metal poisoning (lead, arsenic), also a form of reticulocyte in ruminants
stain used to see heinz bodies
new methylene blue staining
what is rouleaux
when do we see this?
when blood cells stack
normal in horses, some in cats, hyperproteinemia can cause
what is a metarubicyte
a nucleated RBC (immature)
how to correct WBC count for nRBCs/metarubicytes
100/100+nRBC x WBC count(uncorrected)= correct count
