Haematological Changes Flashcards
Name 2 that could cause red cell agglutination (red cells clump together)?
Chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (e.g. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia). Infection e.g. Ebstein barr virus, HIV. Autoimmune disease e.g. rheumatoid arhthritis, SLE. Idiopathic.
Name 2 causes of lymphocytosis (increase in the number of lymphocytes in blood).
Viral infection e.g. measles, chicken pox. Bacterial infection e.g. TB. Tissue infarction e.g. Myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus. Stress related e.g. cardiac arrest. Cigarette smoking e.g. T cells. Malignancies.
Name 2 conditions causing neutrophilia (high number of neutrophils in the blood.).
Infection e.g. bacteria. Tissue damage e.g. trauma, surgery, burns. Tissue infarction e.g. myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus. Acute and chronic inflammation e..g. Rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis. Acute haemorrhage. Acute hypoxia. Cigarette smoke.
What is meant by a leucoerythroblastic reaction?
It’s characterized by the presence of immature erythrocytic and neutrophilic precursors in the peripheral blood. The presence of these immature cells usually suggests evidence of a structural or neoplastic problem (abnormal growth) of the bone marrow.
What conditions cause monocytosis (increase in the number of monocytes)?
Chronic inflammation e.g. TB. Chronic inflammation e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, SLE. Carcinoma e.g. myocardial infarction.
What conditions cause lymphocytopenia (decrease in the number of lymphocytes)?
Infection e.g. HIV. Autoimmune diseases e.g. SLE. Inflammatory e.g. sarcoid. Lifestyle-related e.g. anorexia, alcohol. Medication e.g. steroids, chemo. Lymphoma e.g. non-hodgkin and hodgkin.
Give 2 causes of eosinophilia (increase in eosinophil count).
Allergy and skin disorders e.g. eczema, asthma, hay fever. Parasitic infection. Autoimmune and connective tissue disease e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis, Churg-Strauss. Lymphoproliferative e.g. Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma. Myeloproliferative disorders e.g. chronic eosinophilic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia. Inflammatory diseases e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis.
Give 2 causes of haemolysis (rupture of red blood cells).
Inherited condition. Drugs. G6PD - membrane disorder. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria e.g. autoimmune. Transfusion reaction. Snake venom.
What suppresses erythropoietin production during inflammation, and causes anaemia?
Cytokines.
What effect does cytokines have on the level of the hormone hepicidin during inflammation?
It increases hepicidin levels, thereby reducing iron absorption - leads to anaemia.
Give 3 characteristics of liver failure.
Elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - measure of the average red blood cell volume. Low platelets. Anaemia. Neutropenia. Acanthocytes and target cells/codocytes on the blood film.
Give 3 characteristics of renal failure.
Anaemia. Platelet dysfunction although platelet count may be normal. Echinocytes on blood film.
What are echinocytes?
Abnormal red blood cells with regular projections.
What are acanthocytes?
Abnormal red blood cells with irregular projections.
What are codocytes/target cells?
Abnormal red blood cells with a dark centre - have high lipid levels.
