Haematology Flashcards
What is the definition of iron deficiency anaemia?
A reduction in haemoglobin concentrations due to inadequate iron supply
What is the aetiology of iron deficiency anaemia?
Blood loss (haemorrhage, GI bleeding or heavy menstruation), poor diet or poverty in children, and malabsorption in coeliac disease
What is the clinical presentation of iron deficiency anaemia?
Fatigue, dyspnoea on exertion, pica (craving for non-food substances), restless leg syndrome, nail changes (thinning, flattening, and then spooning of the nails (koilonychia)), glossitis and angular stomatitis
What are the investigations of iron deficiency anaemia?
o Haemoglobin: low o MCV: low o Peripheral blood smear: microcytic, hypochromic anaemia, with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis (variation in size and shape) o Iron studies: oDecreased ferritin oDecreased serum iron oIncreased TIBC (serum transferrin)
What is the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia?
Oral iron replacement (ferrous sulfate), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to help with the absorption of non-haem iron, IV iron
What is the definition of anaemia of chronic disease?
Inflammation-mediated reduction in red blood cell production and survival
What is the pathophysiology of anaemia of chronic disease?
The release of proinflammatory cytokines trigger systemic changes in iron metabolism by decreasing red cell production and reducing red blood cell survival
What is the clinical presentation of anaemia of chronic disease?
Systemic symptoms of underlying condition
What are the investigations of anaemia of chronic disease?
o Haemoglobin: low
o MCV: initially normocytic, then microcytic as iron is depleted
o Iron studies:
oDecreased serum iron
oElevated serum ferritin (stored iron cannot be utilised)
oDecreased TIBC
What is the treatment of anaemia of chronic disease?
Treatment of underlying condition, erythropoietin, red blood cell transfusion, supplemental iron
What is the definition of sideroblastic anaemia?
The bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts rather than healthy red blood cells
What is the aetiology of sideroblastic anaemia?
Congenital, myeloproliferative diseases, chemotherapy, anti-TB drugs, irradiation, alcohol, lead excess
What is the pathophysiology of sideroblastic anaemia?
The body has sufficient iron, but it cannot be incorporated into haemoglobin. There is an accumulation of iron in the mitochondria of erythroblasts which results in a ring sideroblast around the mitochondrial nucleus
What is the clinical presentation of sideroblastic anaemia?
Fatigue, dyspnoea on exertion, weakness, palpitations, headaches, irritability, chest pain
What are the investigations of sideroblastic anaemia?
o Haemoglobin: low
o MCV: low
o Iron studies:
oElevated ferritin
oDecreased TIBC
o Peripheral blood smear: microcytic, hypochromic anaemia with basophilic stippling
o Bone marrow aspirate: ringed sideroblasts
What is the treatment of sideroblastic anaemia?
Cessation of the offending agent, pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
What is the definition of beta thalassemia?
Inherited microcytic anaemia caused by a mutation of the beta-globin gene leading to decreased or absent synthesis of beta-globin, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis
What is the aetiology of beta thalassemia?
Mutation in the beta globin gene on chromosome 11
What is the pathophysiology of beta thalassemia?
The imbalance between alpha and beta chains leads to precipitation of the excess alpha chains in erythroid precursors and maturing red cells, resulting in membrane damage and cell destruction
What is the clinical presentation of beta thalassemia?
Asymptomatic, failure to feed, listlessness, crying, pallor
What are the investigations of beta thalassemia?
o Haemoglobin: severely low, 30-70 g/L
o MCV: severe microcytic anaemia
o Haemoglobin analysis (low HbA, elevated HbF and HbA2)
o Peripheral blood smear: microcytic red cells, dacrocytes (tear drops), microspherocytes, target cells
o PCR: beta-thalassaemia mutation
What is the treatment of beta thalassemia?
Blood transfusions
What is the definition of sickle cell anaemia?
Autosomal recessive single gene defect in the beta chain of haemoglobin, which results in production of sickle cell haemoglobin, HbS
What is the pathophysiology of sickle cell anaemia?
Valine replaces glutamic acid and can fit into the hydrophobic pocket of another haemoglobin molecule, causing the haemoglobin to polymerise
What is the clinical presentation of sickle cell anaemia?
Persistent pain in skeleton, chest and/or abdomen, dactylitis
What are the investigations of sickle cell anaemia?
o Positive neonatal screening
o Peripheral blood smear: nucleated red blood cells, sickle-shaped cells, Howell-Jolly bodies
o DNA-based assay: replacement of both beta haemoglobin subunits with HbS
o Reticulocyte count: elevated
What is the treatment of sickle cell anaemia?
o Crisis: analgesia, IV fluids, oxygen, and antibiotics
o Long-term: Hydroxycarbamide, folic acid, bone marrow transplantation
What is the definition of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
X-linked recessive disorder which leads to a deficiency in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme
What is the pathophysiology of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is required by all cells to protect them from damage by oxidation. Failure to withstand oxidative stress damages the red cell membrane and causes haemolysis
What are the triggers of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
Oxidants (fava beans), infections, drugs (primaquine, sulphonamides, nitrofurantoin, quinolones), and mothballs which contain naphthalene
What is the clinical presentation of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
Asymptomatic, haemolysis, jaundice, anaemia, pallor, back pain, dark urine, nausea
What are the investigations of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
o Haemoglobin: low
o Reticulocyte count: elevated
o Peripheral blood smear (during a crisis): Bite cells, blister cells, Heinz bodies
o Enzyme assay: reduced glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity
What is the treatment of glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase deficiency?
Avoidance of oxidant factors, transfusions, folic acid
What is the definition of hereditary spherocytosis?
Inherited abnormality of the red blood cell, caused by defects in structural membrane proteins
What is the pathophysiology of hereditary spherocytosis?
Defects in membrane structural proteins result in a weakening of vertical linkages between membrane surface proteins and the phospholipid bilayer. This alters the red-cell shape, becoming spherical, and reduces its flexibility. The spherocytes are fragile and are selectively removed by, and destroyed in, the spleen
What is the clinical presentation of hereditary spherocytosis?
Pallor, jaundice, splenomegaly
What are the investigations of hereditary spherocytosis?
o Haemoglobin: normal or reduced
o Reticulocyte count: elevated
o Peripheral blood smear: spherocytes, pincer cells
o Osmotic fragility test: fragility in hypotonic solutions
What is the treatment of hereditary spherocytosis?
Splenectomy (after childhood to minimise the risk of infection), folic acid
What is the definition of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Increased red cell destruction due to red cell autoantibodies
What is the aetiology of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Idiopathic or occur secondary to lymphoma, leukaemia and other malignancies, drugs, and autoimmune diseases
What is the pathophysiology of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
IgG autoantibodies bind optimally to red blood cells at warm temperatures (37 ºC). This results in extravascular haemolysis in the spleen
What is the clinical presentation of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Fatigue, dyspnoea, headache, palpitations, pallor
What are the investigations of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
o Haemoglobin: low
o Reticulocyte count: elevated
o Direct Coombs Test: positive for IgG on red blood cells
What is the treatment of hot autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Corticosteroids, splenectomy, rituximab, folic acid, transfusions
What is the definition of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Increased red cell destruction due to red cell autoantibodies
What is the aetiology of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Idiopathic, secondary to infection
What is the pathophysiology of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
IgM autoantibodies bind optimally to red blood cells at cold temperatures (0-5 ºC), activating the complement cascade and causing lysis of red blood cells in the circulation
What is the clinical presentation of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Fatigue, dyspnoea, headache, palpitations, pallor
What are the investigations of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
o Haemoglobin: low
o Reticulocyte count: elevated
o Direct Coombs Test: positive for complement alone
What is the treatment of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Avoid exposure to cold, rituximab
What is the definition of aplastic anaemia?
Bone marrow failure causes a reduction in the number of pluripotent stem cells and consequently a lack of haemopoiesis
What is the pathophysiology of aplastic anaemia?
Activated cytotoxic T cells in the blood and bone marrow are responsible for the bone marrow failure
What is the clinical presentation of aplastic anaemia?
Fatigue, dyspnoea, faintness, palpitations, headache, epistaxis, tachycardia, pallor
What are the investigations of aplastic anaemia?
o FBC: pancytopenia
o Reticulocyte count: low
o Bone marrow biopsy: hypocellular marrow with increased fat spaces and no abnormal cell populations
What is the treatment of aplastic anaemia?
Broad spectrum parenteral antibodies, transfusions, bone marrow transplant, immunosuppression (ciclosporin and antithymocyte)
What is the aetiology of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia?
Decreased dietary intake, diminished gastric breakdown of vitamin 12 from food, and malabsorption from the GI tract, pernicious anaemia (autoimmune destruction of the parietal cells?
What is the pathophysiology of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia?
Vitamin B12 is required for the synthesis of thymine and hence DNA
What is the clinical presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia?
Lemon tinge (due to pallor and mild jaundice), peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, lethargy, headaches, palpitations, dyspnoea