Erythrocytes II: anaemia and Thalassaemia

Question 1

what is a Spherocyte?

Answer 1

type of RBC

Question 2

what do spherocytes cause?

Answer 2

they cause haemolytic anaemia

Question 3

what is haemolytic anaemia

Answer 3

it is anaemia caused due to hemolysis, which is when the cell rupture and burst

Question 4

what causes spherocytes to not be able to form a biconcave disc and look like a football?

Answer 4

the protein spectrin in the spherocyte is abnormal

Question 5

what happens when the rupturing of spherocytes occurs?

Answer 5

when this occurs, they release all their haemoglobin increasing blood viscocity

Question 6

what is anaemia?

Answer 6

a state in which the concentration of Hb is below normal concentration relative to the age and gender of the person.

Question 7

what does anaemia lead to?

Answer 7

anaemia leads to reduced ability to transport O2

Question 8

what is haemoglobinopathy?

Answer 8

a hematologic disorder due to alteration in the genetically determined molecular structure of Hb

Question 9

what are examples of Haemoglobinopathy?

Answer 9

-sickle cell anaemia
- haemolytic anaemia
- Thalassaemia

Question 10

what is sickle cell anaemia?

Answer 10

this is when the beta global chain is replaced by HbS, which as the Amino acid valine in Hb instead of glutamic acid

Question 11

what are common symptoms of anaemia?

Answer 11

• Tachycardia
• weakness and lethargy
• visual disturbances
• bounding pulse
• cardiomegaly
• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• feeling “cold”

Question 12

what measurements can a doctor take for you if you show signs of anaemia?

Answer 12

• haemoglobin levels
• RBC count
• size and shape of RBC
• Mean cell haemoglobin structure

Question 13

describe features of the patient will a doctor will use as indication for a patient having anaemia

Answer 13

• palms
• nail beds
• Pallor
  -complexion
  -conjunctivae

Question 14

what is a mendelian disorder?

Answer 14

lack of or decreased synthesis of either ɑ or β global chain

Question 15

describe and explain ɑ-thalassaemia.

Answer 15

deficient synthesis of ɑ chains, so inadequate Hb.

This means that the ability of Hb to carry oxygen is diminished.

Question 16

which populations is ɑ-thalassaemia most common in?

Answer 16

common in Asian and African populations

Question 17

describe β-thalassaemia

Answer 17

deficient synthesis of β globin chain, however normal ɑ globin synthesis.

There is an overall lack of HbA formation, so low overall concentration of Hb in RBCs

Question 18

what are pale cells called?

Answer 18

hypochromic cells

Question 19

explain what happens to people with β thalassaemia

Answer 19

erythrocytes and reticulocytes are destroyed in the spleen because of the globin chain imbalance, causing severe anaemia.

Iron overloads in your plasma are caused as a result of this.

Spleen can enlarge

bone marrow can start to increase due to the formation of many RBCs due to the spleen destroying them.

Question 20

which populations is β-thalassaemia common in?

Answer 20

common in Mediterranean, parts of African and South East Asian populations

Question 21

what is Thalassaemia Major?

Answer 21

this is a type of β-thalassaemia which is the worst type

Question 22

what are some symptoms of all types of thalassaemia?

Answer 22

symptoms include:

• iron overload in plasma
• Insufficient oxygen around the body
• Bone marrow increasing in size