Haem Flashcards
production v removal -> aneamia?
- Test to determine if bone marrow production is the issue is to look at the
RETICULOCYTE COUNT which is a count of immature RBC’s in the bone
marrow - If production is the issue then the reticulocyte count will be low
- If removal is the issue then the reticulocyte count will be high
3 types of MCV?
Hypochromic (pale) MICROCYTIC - low MCV
- Normochromic NORMOCYTIC - normal MCV
- MACROCYTIC - high MCV
microcytic anaemia?
low MCV
aetiology of microcytic anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia - the MOST COMMON CAUSE WORLDWIDE
• Anaemia of chronic disease
• Thalassaemia (see inherited red cell disorders)
formation of haem -> haemoglobin using iron?
Iron is required for the formation of the haem part of haemoglobin
• Iron ions are actively transported into the duodenal intestinal epithelial cells
by the intestinal haem transporter (HCP1) which is highly expressed in the
duodenum and some is incorporated into FERRITIN (protein-iron complex) that
acts as an intracellular store for iron
• Absorbed iron that does not bind to ferritin is released into the blood where it
is able to circulate around the body bound to the plasma protein
TRANSFERRIN
• Transferrin transports iron in the blood plasma to the bone marrow to be
incorporated into new erythrocytes
• The majority of iron is incorporated into haemoglobin
• The rest is stored in reticuloendothelial cells, hepatocytes and skeletal
muscle cells either as FERRITIN (majority - more easily mobilised than
haemosiderin for Hb formation, found in small amounts in plasma and in
most cells especially liver, spleen and bone marrow) or HAEMOSIDERIN
(found in macrophages in the bone marrow, liver and spleen)
epidemiology of iron deficient anaemia?
- 14% in menstruating women
- premature infants
- undeveloped countries
aetiology of iron deficient anaemia?
- blood loss; menorrhagia, GI bleeding or hookworm
- poor diet
- pregnancy
- malabsorption
pathophysiology of iron deficient anaemia?
Less iron is available for haem synthesis - crucial for haemoglobin
production thus reduction in iron will result in a decrease in haemoglobin
and thus smaller RBC’s resulting in microcytic anaemia
clinical presentation or iron deficient anaemia?
- brittle hair and nails
- spoon shaped nails - koilonychia
- atrophy of papillae of tongue
- ulcerations of corners of mouth (angular stomatitis)
investigation of iron deficient anaemia?
- FBC; haematocrit and haemoglobin, serum ferritin (low), serum iron (low)
treatment of iron deficient anaemia?
- oral ferrous sulphate (SE; constipation and nausea)
anaemia of chronic diseases, what is this?
Essentially this is anaemia that is secondary to a chronic disease, can think of
it as if the body is sick then the bone marrow will be too, resulting in anaemia
• RBC’s are often NORMOCYTIC but they can be MICROCYTIC, especially in
rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease
epidemiology of anaemia of chronic disease?
- most common in hospital patients
- in people with chronic infections; crohns, RA, SLE and TB
pathophysiology of anaemia of chronic disease?
There is decreased release of iron from the bone marrow to developing
erythroblasts (early RBC, before reticulocyte)
- An inadequate erythropoietin response (cytokine which increases RBC
production) to anaemia
- Decreased RBC survival
clinical presentations of anaemia of chronic disease?
- fatigue
- SOB
- anorexia
- intermittent claudication
- palpitations
investigations of anaemia of chronic diseases?
- FBC; serum iron (low), serum ferritin (normal or raised due to inflammation), low Hb
treatment of anaemia of chronic causes?
Erythropoietin is effective in raising the haemoglobin level and is used in
anaemia of renal disease and inflammatory disease e.g. rheumatoid
arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease
causes of normal MCV anaemia?
- acute blood loss
- anaemia of chronic disease
- endocrine disorders
- renal failure
- pregnancy
investigation of normlytic anaemia?
- B12 and folate -> normal
- raised reticulocytes
- Hb low
macrolytic anaemia, sub types?
Megaloblastic:
- Presence of erythroblasts with delayed nuclear maturation because of
delayed DNA synthesis - these are megaloblasts, they are large (i.e.
high MCV) and have no nuclei
• Non-megaloblastic:
- Where the erythroblasts are normal i.e. normoblastic
main causes of macrolytic anaemia?
- megaloblastic -> B12 and folate deficiency
- non-megaloblastic; alcohol, liver disease, hypothyroidism, haemoloysis, myeloma, aplastic anaemia
B12 physiology?
B12 is absorbed by binding to INTRINSIC FACTOR produced by the
PARIETAL CELLS of the stomach then being absorbed in the TERMINAL
ILEUM of the small intestines
- B12 is essential for thymidine and thus DNA synthesis
- Thus in B12 deficiency there is an impairment of DNA synthesis resulting in
delayed nuclear maturation resulting in large RBCs as well as decreased
RBC production in the bone marrow
- This DNA impairment will affect all cells, but bone marrow is most affected
since its the most active in terms of cell division
pernicious anaemia?
AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER in which the parietal
cells of the stomach are attacked resulting in atrophic gastritis and the loss
of intrinsic factor production and thus vitamin B12 malabsorption
pernicious anaemia epidemiology?
- elderly
- blood type A
- F>M
- caucasian
- other autoimmune diseases; thyroid and Addisons
- vegan diet
pernicious anaemia pathophysiology?
Parietal cell antibodies are present in the serum in 90% of patients with
pernicious anaemia - and also in 10% of normal individuals
- However, intrinsic factor antibodies, although found in only 50% of patients
with pernicious anaemia are SPECIFIC for DIAGNOSIS
- Autoimmune gastritis affecting the fundus with plasma cell and lymphoid
infiltration
- The parietal and chief cells are replaced by mucin-secreting cells
- There is achlorhydria (reduced HCL acid production) and of course the absent
secretion of intrinsic factor
clinical presentations of pernicious anaemia?
- fatigue
- palpitations
- lemon-yellow skin colour (jaundice -> due to fact that
body will try to remove defective large RBCs) - glossitis and angular stomatitis
- symmetrical parasthesia
- weakness
diagnosis of pernicious anaemia?
- FBC; Hb low, serum b12 low, serum bilirubin maybe raised
- macrocytic RBC
- IF antibodies - diagnostic but low sensitivity
treatment for pernicious anaemia?
- if dietary -> oral B12
- IM hydroxocobalamin
epidemiology of folate deficiency?
- elderly
- poverty
- alcoholic
- pregnant
- cronhs/coeliac disease
folate physiology?
Absorbed by the duodenum/proximal jejunum
- Folate is also essential for DNA synthesis
- Thus in folate deficiency there is an impairment of DNA synthesis resulting in
delayed nuclear maturation resulting in large RBCs as well as decreased
RBC production in the bone marrow
- This DNA impairment will affect all cells, but bone marrow is most affected
since its the most active in terms of cell division
- Folate is also essential for fetal development - deficiency can result in neural
tube defects
clinical presentation of folate deficiency?
- asymptomatic
- symptoms of anaemia;pallor, fatigue, dyspnoea,
anorexia and headache - Glossitis (red sore tongue) can occur
- NO NEUROPATHY unlike B12 deficiency - how you can differentiate
investigations of folate deficiency?
- blood smear; megaloblastic
- FBC; serum folate is low
- serum bilirubin may be raised
treatment of folate deficiency?
- folic acid tablets
- never given without B12
haemolytic anaemia, normacytic or macrocytic?
RBCs can be either NORMOCYTIC or if there are many young RBC’s (which are
larger) due to excessive destruction of old RBCs then MACROCYTIC
compensated haemolytic disease?
If the red cell loss can be contained within the marrow’s capacity for
increased output, then a haemolytic state can exist without anaemia
main causes of haemolytic anaemia?
RBC membrane defects:
• Hereditary spherocytosis
Enzyme defects:
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Haemoglobinopathies: • B Thalassaemia • A Thalassaemia • Sickle cell disease - Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
features of haemolytic anaemia?
High serum UNCONJUGATED BILIRUBIN
- High urinary UROBILINOGEN
- High faecal STERCOBILINOGEN
- Splenomegaly
- Bone marrow expansion
- Reticulocytosis - increased reticulocytes
HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS, epidemiology?
- northern europeans
- autosomal dominant
HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS, pathophysiology?
Caused by defects in the red cell membrane resulting in RBC’s losing part of
the cell membrane as they pass through the spleen
The abnormal cell membrane is associated functionally with an increased
permeability to Na+ requiring an increased rate of active transport of Na+
OUT of the cells, which is dependent on ATP produced by glycolysis
- The surface to volume ratio decreases and the cells become SPHEROCYTIC
- SPHEROCYTES are more RIGID and less deformable than normal red cells
- They are unable to pass through the splenic microcirculation so they become
trapped in the spleen and thus have a shortened lifespan and are destroyed
via extravascular haemolysis
clinical presentations of HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS?
- jaundice
- splenomegaly
- ulcers of leg
- gallstone
investigations of HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS?
- blood film; spherocytes
- FBC; low Hb and increased reticulocytes
- raised bilirubin and urinary urobillnogen
- negative direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test to rule out autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
treatment for Hereditary spherocytosis?
- splenectomy
G6PD, epidemiology?
- M>F
- common in Africa, Mediterranean, SE Asia and Middle East
pathophysiology of G6PD?
-G6PD is vital for a reaction that is
necessary for RBC’s by providing a
NADPH which is used with glutathione
to PROTECT the RBC from OXIDATIVE DAMAGE from compounds such as hydrogen peroxide
- This inherited enzyme deficiency thus results in reduced RBC lifespan due to
oxidant damage
- Gene for G6PD is localised to chromosome Xq28 near the factor VIII gene
clinical presentation of G6PD?
- asymptomatic but may get oxidative crisis due to reduction in glutathione production and can be precipitated by drugs (aspirin, antimalarials and fava beans )
- neonatal jaundice
- pallor
- dark urine
investigations fo G6DP?
- FBC
- blood film during attacks
- urinalysis
- G6DP enzyme levels (low bur immediately after an attack maybe normal)
treatment of G6DP?
- stop offending drugs
- blood transfusions
normal hb composition?
heam + 2 alpha + 2 beta chains
foetal Hb composition?
haem + 2 alpha + 2 gamma chains
thalassaemias?
genetic disease of unbalance Hb synthesis, with under production (or
no production) of one globin chain
• The precipitation of the imbalance globin chains within red cell precursors
results in cell damage and death of precursors in bone marrow i.e INEFFECTIVE
ERYTHROPOIESIS
• The precipitation of these imbalanced globin chains in mature red cells leads to
HAEMOLYSIS
the 2 types of thalassaemia?
- beta -> reduced B chain synthesis
- alpha -> reduced A chain
beta thalassaemia, epidemiology?
- Mediterranean and Far East
beta thalassemia, pathophysiology?
- point mutations
- The mutations result in defects in transcription, RNA splicing and
modification, translation via frame shifts and nonsense codons producing
highly UNSTABLE B-GLOBIN which cannot be utilised - In heterozygous beta-thalassaemia there is usually asymptomatic
microcytosis with or without MILD ANAEMIA - excess alpha chains combine with delta and gamma chains
beta thalassaemia, clinical presentations?
SPLIT INTO 3 minor (trait/carrier) - asymptomatic - anaemia is mild or absent - RBC are hypo chromic and microcytic - can be confused with iron deficiency but serum ferritin and iron stores are normal
intermediate
- moderate anaemia
- splenomegaly
- bone deformities
- gall stones
major
- presents in children with homozygous in first year of life; recurrent bacterial infections, severe anaemia, hepatospenomegaly
- need transfusion
- bone abnormalities
- microcytic
diagnosis, beta thalassemia?
- FBC; raised reticulocyte count
- film; Hypochromic microcytic anaemia
- Haemoglobin electrophoresis shows increase HbF (gamma) and absent or
less HbB (normal)
treatment of beta thalassaemia?
- Regular (every 2-4 weeks) life-long transfusions to keep Hb above 90g/L
- Iron-chelating agents to prevent iron overload; oral DEFERIPRONE & SC
DESDERRIOXAMINE: - Large doses of ASCORBIC ACID to increase urinary excretion of iron
- Splenectomy if hypersplenism persists with increasing transfusion
requirements - but do after childhood to reduce infection risks - Bone marrow transplant
- Long term folic acid
alpha thalassaemia, pathophysiology?
alpha-thalassaemia is often caused by
gene deletions
- The gene for alpha-globin chains is duplicated on both chromosomes 16
- The deletion of one alpha chain or both alpha-chain genes on each
chromosome 16 may occur (deletion of one alpha chain is most common)
clinical presentation of alpha thalaessemia?
FOUR GENE DELETION
- no alpha chain synthesis
- Hb barts (4 gamma chains) cannot carry o2 and baby often are stillborn or die after birth
THREE GENE DELETION - Severe reduction in alpha chain synthesis results in HbH disease, which is common in parts of Asia • HbH has 4 beta-chains • Moderate anaemia and splenomegaly
Two gene deletion (alpha-thalassaemia trait - carrier):
• There is MICROCYTOSIS with or without mild anaemia
- Once gene deletion:
• Usually a normal blood picture
-
sickle cell anaemia, epidemiology?
Commonest in Africans but also in India, Middle
East and southern Europe
- AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE disorder causing the
production of abnormal Beta globin chains
- 1 in 4 chance of disease
- 50% chance of being a carrier
- 1 in 4 chance of being disease free
pathophysiology, sickle cell?
Sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) results from a SINGLE-BASE MUTATION of
ADENINE to THYMINE which produces a substitution of VALINE for
GLUTAMIC ACID at the SIXTH CODON of the beta-globin chain
-Since the synthesis of HbF (gamma or fetal) is normal, the disease does not
manifest itself until the HbF decreases to adult levels at about 6 months of age
- Sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) is insoluble and polymerises when
deoxygenated
- The flexibility of the cells is decreased and they become rigid and take up
their characteristic sickle appearance
- This process is initially reversible but, with repeated sickling, the cells
eventually lose their membrane flexibility and become IRREVERSIBLY
SICKLED
- This irreversibly sickled cells are dehydrated and dense, and will not return
to normal when oxygenated
- HbS releases its oxygen to the tissues more readily than normal RBCs and
patients thus feel well despite being anaemic (except during crises or
complications)
clinical presentation of sickle cell?
Heterozygous sickle cell trait:
• Symptom free with no disability expect in hypoxia e.g. in unpressurised
aircraft or anaesthesia when vaso-occlusive events may occur
• Carriage offer protection against FALCIPARUM MALARIA
Homozygous sickle cell
- pulmonary hypertension
- anaemia
- low growth and development
- bone issues
- neurological
- chronic hepatomegaly
- visual floaters
investigations for sickle cell?
Blood count:
• Level of Hb is in the range of 60-80 g/L
• RAISED RETICULOCYTE COUNT
Blood films:
• Sickled erythrocytes shown
Sickle solubility test will be POSITIVE
Hb electrophoresis: • Confirms diagnosis • Shows 80-95% HbS and absent HbA • Aim for diagnosis at birth (cord blood) to aid prompt pneumococcal prophylaxis