Haematology Flashcards
What are the 6 main cells to investigate on FBC?
RBC
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Platelets
Eosinophils
Monocytes
What are RBCs primarily used to diagnose on FBC?
Anaemias
What does a neutrophil value of >7.5 x10^4/L indicate?
Neutrophilia
Eg. Acute bacterial infection
What does a neutrophil value of <2 x 10^4/L indicate?
Neutropenia
Eg. Myeloma or lymphoma
What does a lymphocyte value of >3.5 x 10^4/L indicate?
Lymphocytosis
Eg. Chronic infection
What does a lymphocyte value of <1.3 x 10^4/L indicate?
Lymphocytopenia
What does a platelet value of >400 x 10^9/L indicate?
Thrombocytosis
What does a platelet value of <1.3 x 10^9/L indicate?
Thrombocytopenia
When are eosinophils elevated?
Parasitic infection
When are monocyte levels elevated?
Myelodyplastic syndromes
Define neutrophilia
Elevated neutrophil levels
Define neutropenia?
Low neutrophil levels
Define lymphocytosis
High lymphocyte levels
Define lymphocytopenia
Low lymphocyte levels
Define thrombocytosis
Elevated platelet levels
Define thrombocytopenia
Low platelet levels
What are 3 tests used for a clotting screen?
PT/INR (prothrombin time)
APTT (activated partial prothrombin time)
Fibrinogen
What is PT/INR used to investigate?
Coagulation speed through extrinsic pathway
How is INR calculated?
Patient PT
—————
Reference PT
What is normal INR without anticoagulants?
0.8-1.2
What is normal INR on warfarin?
2-3
What are 4 factors that may increase INR?
- Anticoags
- Liver disease
- Vit K deficiency
- DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
What does APTT measure?
Coagulation speed through intrinsic pathway
What is the normal PT/INR time?
10-13.5s
What is the normal APTT time?
35-45s
What are 3 conditions where PT is normal and APTT is prolonged?
Haemophilia A
Haemophilia B
VWF disease
What is the normal fibrinogen -> fibrin time?
12-14s
Define anaemia
Low haemoglobin in the blood below the reference for the patients age and sex
How long does a RBC live?
120 days
Is anaemia a disease?
No- it is a result of an underlying disease
What is measured after an anaemia diagnosis?
Mean corpuscular/cell volume (MCV)
What are the 3 main classifications of anaemia?
Microcytic
Normocytic
Macrocytic
When should transfusion be considered for anemia?
Hb <70g/L
Or
Hb <80/L and cardiac comorbidity
What are the symptoms of anaemia?
Fatigue
Dysponea
Headache
Dizziness
Palpitations
What are 4 signs of anaemia?
Pallor
Conjunctival pallor
Tachycardia
Inc. respiratory rate
What level indicate microcytic anaemia?
<80
What are 5 causes of microcytic anaemia?
TAILS
Thalassaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease (sometimes!)
Iron deficiency (MC)
Lead poisoning
Sideroblastic anaemia
What is the most common cause of anemia worldwide?
Iron deficiency
Outline the pathophysiology of iron deficiency anaemia
Insufficiency of iron to produce RBCs
What are 4 causes of Fe deficient anaemia?
Blood loss- assume until proven otherwise!
Pregnancy
Impaired absorption
Poor diet
What are 3 causes of blood los that may result in Fe deficiency anaemia?
Menorrhagia
GI bleeding
Hookworm
What are 2 causes of impaired absorption that can result in Fe deficiency anaemia?
Coeliac or Chrons (as iron absorbed in GI tract)
Low stomach acid
When may Fe deficiency occur in infants?
Premature
Delayed mixed feeding (breast milk has low iron)
What are the symptoms of Fe deficiency anaemia?
General anaemia symptoms
Pruritis (itchy)
Nails changing - koilonychia
Angular stomatitis
Atrophic glossitis
What is koilonychia?
Spoon shaped nails
What is angular stomatitis?
Ulceration at corners of mouth
What is atrophic glossitis?
absence of papillae on tongue- looks smooth
How is Fe deficiency anaemia diagnosed on FBC and film?
Microcytic and hypochromic (pale) RBC
Poikilocytosis and anisocytosis
Howell Jolly bodies (nucleated RBC)
What is poikilocytosis?
Variation in RBC shape
What is anisocytosis?
Variation in RBC size
How is Fe deficiency anemia diagnosis confirmed?
Serum ferritin is LOW- reflects low amount of stored iron
What other bloods indicate Fe deficiency anaemia?
Low serum Fe
High TIBC (total iron binding capacity)
Low transferrin saturation
Low reticulocytes
What should be investigated when Fe deficiency anaemia occurs in older people?
Colonoscopy for GI bleed
How is Fe deficiency anemia treated?
Treat underlying cause
Oral Fe eg. Ferrous sulphate or ferrous gluconate
In extreme cases IV iron
What are the side effects of ferrous sulphate?
Black/green stools
Nausea
Diarrhoea or constipation
What are the normal percentages of haemoglobin in an adult human?
HbA = 97%
HbA2 (delta) = 2%
HbF (foetal) = 1%
What are thalassaemias?
Genetic disease of unbalanced Hb synthesis with underproduction of one globin chain
What is the normal structure of a Hb?
Haem + 2 alpha + 2 beta
How can thalassaemias lead to haemolysis?
Precipitation of imbalanced globin chains in precursors -> cell damage and death of precursors -> precipitation of imbalanced globin chains in mature cells -> haemolysis
Where are thalassaemias common?
Areas from Mediterranean to Far East
- in areas with prevalent malaria
Define beta thalassaemia
Reduced B chain synthesis
Excess A chain synthesis
Define alpha thalassaemia
Reduced A chain synthesis
Excess B chain synthesis
Which thalassaemia is most common?
Beta thalassaemia
What types of haemoglobin are increased in beta thalassaemia?
HbA2 (delta)
HbF (gamma)
What type of genetic mutation causes beta thalassaemia?
Autodom recessive
Often caused when genes MUTATED on chromosome 11
What type of gene mutation causes alpha thalassaemia?
Autodom recessive
Often caused by gene DELETIONS on chromosome 16
What are the 3 categories of beta thalassaemia?
B- thalassaemia minor
B- thalassaemia intermedia
B- thalassaemia major
What type of B-thalassaemia is a carrier heterozygous state?
B-thalassaemia minor
What are the symptoms of B-thalassaemia minor?
Asymptomatic
Mild or absent anaemia
Hypochromic (pale) RBC
How is B-thalassaemia minor distinguished from iron deficiency anaemia?
Serum ferritin and iron stores are normal
May have slightly raised HbA2 and usually raised HbF
Outline the pathophysiology of B-thalassaemia intermedia
reduced + absent beta genes
OR
Reduced + reduced beta genes
What are the symptoms of B-thalassaemia intermedia?
Symptomatic with moderate anaemia- doesn’t require regular transfusions
Splenomegaly
Recurrent leg ulcers
Gallstones
Bone deformities
Outline the pathophysiology of B-thalassaemia minor
Normal + reduced beta
OR
Normal + absent beta
Outline the pathophysiology of B-thalassaemia major
Absent + absent beta genes
FULL autorecessive
When does B-thalassaemia major present?
In first year of life
What are the symptoms of B-thalassaemia major?
Failure to thrive + bacterial infections
Severe anaemia at 3-6 months old
“Chipmunk” face
- bone expansion especially around cheekbones and
teeth protrude
Extramedullary haematopoesis -> hepatosplenomegaly
How is B-thalassaemia major diagnosed?
Microcytic
Large and small pale RBCs
Normal serum ferritin
High reticulocytes
What is the gold standard test for thalassaemia diagnosis?
Hb electrophoresis (testing for different types of haemoglobin)
How is B-thalassaemia major treated?
Transfusion every 2-4 weeks
Iron chelating agents to prevent iron overload
Large dose of ascorbic acid to inc. iron in wee
Marrow transplant if severe
Folic acid
What are 2 iron chelating agents?
Oral deferiprone
SC desderrioxamine
What are the side effects of iron chelating agents?
Pain
Deafness
Cataracts
Retinal damage
What are long term complications of transfusion?
Progressive increase in body iron load
- deposited in liver and spleen -> cirrhosis
- deposited in endocrine glands and heart -> diabetes, hypocalcaemia, death
What is HBH made from?
4 beta chains
What are the symptoms of a single gene A-thalassaemia?
Normal bloods- carrier
What are the symptoms of 2 gene A-thalassaemia deletion?
Microcytosis with/without mild anaemia
Outline the pathophysiology of 3 gene deletion A-thalassaemia?
Severe reduction in alpha chain synthesis -> HbH disease
What are the symptoms of 3 gene deletion A-thalassaemia?
Moderate anaemia
Splenomegaly
Outline the pathophysiology of 4 gene deletion A-thalassaemia
Deletion of both genes on both chromosomes -> ONLY HbH Bart’s is present
What is the prognosis of 4 gene A-thalassaemia deletion?
Incompatible with life
- Babies can die in uterine, stillborn or die very shortly after birth
How does 4 gene deletion A-thalassaemia present?
Pale
Oedematous
Hydrous fetalis
- enormous liver and spleen
Define sideroblastic anaemia
Defective Hb synthesis within mitochondria causing iron to be stuck in mitochondria
What causes sideroblastic anaemia?
X-linked
B6 deficiency
Idiopathic
Outline the pathophysiology of sideroblastic anaemia
Ineffective erythropoiesis -> inc. Fe absorption -> deposition in RBC
How would sideroblastic anaemia appear on a blood test?
Ringed sideroblastics
High serum ferritin
High serum iron
How is sideroblastic anaemia treated?
Hereditary may respond to pyridoxine (B6)
Define anaemia of chronic disease
Anaemia secondary to chronic disease
If body is ill, bone marrow will be too -> anaemia
Describe the MCV of anaemia of chronic disease
Usually normocytic but can be microcytic
What is the most common type of anaemia in hospital patients?
Anaemia of chronic disease
What are 5 conditions associate with anaemia of chronic disease?
TB
Chrons
Rheumatoid arthritis
SLE
Malignant disease
Outline the pathophysiology of anaemia of chronic disease
Decreased Fe release from marrow -> inadequate erthyropoetin response (drives RBC production) -> decreased RBC survival
What are the symptoms of anaemia of chronic disease?
Fatigue, headaches
Dysponea
Angina (CHD)
Anorexia
How is anaemia of chronic disease diagnosed?
Low serum Fe
Low TIBC
When may RBCs be microcytic in anaemia of chronic disease?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chrons
How is anaemia of chronic disease treated?
Treat underlying cause
Erythropoietin can raise haemoglobin level
What MCV is normocytic?
80-95
What are the 2 categories of normocytic anaemia?
Haemolytic
Non- Haemolytic
What are 5 types of haemolytic normocytic anaemia?
Sickle cell
Hereditary spherocytosis
G6PD deficiency
Malaria
Autoimmune haemolytic
What are 2 types of non-haemolytic normoplastic anaemias?
CKD
Aplastic
What is an example of a RBC membrane defect?
Hereditary spherocytosis
Define hereditary spherocytosis
Autodom condition affecting the RBC membrane via causing a spectrin deficiency
Outline the pathophysiology of hereditary spherocytosis
RBC loses part of membrane -> Na+ moves out -> Sa/V ratio decreases -> RBCs become spherocytic -> more rigid -> cant pass through spleen so become trapped and destroyed via haemolysis
What are the symptoms of hereditary spherocytosis?
General anaemia
Neonatal jaundice
Splenomegaly
Can have gallstones
How is hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed?
Spherocytes and reticulocytes
Raised serum bilirubin and urinary urobilinogen
Negative Coomb’s test (rules out autoimmune)
How is hereditary spherocytosis treated?
Folate supplements+ splenectomy
Define G6PD deficiency
Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
What causes G6PD deficiency?
Heterogenous X linked- affects men primarily but can affect women via lyonisation
What countries are most affected by G6PD deficiency?
Africa
Mediterranean
Middle East
SE Asia
Outline the pathophysiology of G6PD deficiency?
G6PD is vital for providing NADPH which can protect the RBC from oxidative damage -> reduced = more susceptible to damage -> shorter lifespan
What are the symptoms of G6PD deficiency?
Usually asymptomatic
Can cause HAEMOLTIC/OXIDATIVE CRISIS
What can cause oxidative/haemolytic crisis?
Aspirin
Antimalarials
Antibacterial
Fava beans can make it worse!
What is oxidative crisis/stress?
disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses
How is G6PD deficiency diagnosed?
Blood count normal between attacks
In attacks:
- Irregularly contracted cells
- Bite cells and Heinz bodies
- Increased reticulocytes
- Low G6PD right after the attack
How is G6PD treated?
Stop offending drugs or fava beans
Blood transfusion to save life
Splenectomy isn’t usually helpful
What are the symptoms of an oxidative crisis?
Rapid anaemia
Jaundice
What are the 2 types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Cold and warm subtypes
What is the most common subtype of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Warm
Outline the pathophysiology of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Autoantibodies bind to RBCs and cause haemolysis
How is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia diagnosed (dd = hereditary spherocytosis)?
Positive direct Coombs test
What are 2 non-haemolytic anaemia?
CKD
Aplastic anaemia
Why does anaemia occur in CKD?
Fall in erythropoietin
What are the 3 characteristics of CKD anaemia?
Normocytic
Chronic
Decreased reticulocytes
How is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia treated?
Blood transfusion
Prednisolone
Rituximab (monoclonal Ab against B cell) Splenectomy
Define aplastic anaemia
Rare stem cell disorder of pancocytopenia (reduction of blood cells) and aplasia of bone marrow- essentially bone marrow stops making haemopoetic stem cells
What are the causes of aplastic anaemia?
Idiopathic
Inherited eg. fanconis anaemia
Benzene and sniffing glue
Chemotherapy
Antibiotics
Infection: EBV, HIV, TB
Outline the pathophysiology of aplastic anaemia
Reduction in erythropoetic cells and fault in remaining cells -> bone marrow can not be repopulated -> deficiency in major blood cells
What are the symptoms of aplastic anaemia?
Because of RBC, WBC and platelet deficiency
- Anaemia
- Increased infection
- Bleeding
- Bleeding gums and blood blisters in mouth
How is aplastic anaemia diagnosed?
FBC: pancocytopenia and low reticulocytes
Bone marrow: hypocellular marrow and increased fat spaces
How is aplastic anaemia treated?
Treat underlying cause
Broad spectrum antibiotics
RBC and platelet transfusion
Bone marrow transplants
When may a patient with aplastic anaemia need immunosuppressive therapy?
> 40
<40 with severe disease and no HLA sibling donor
Transfusion dependent
What is used for immunosuppressive treatment in aplastic anaemia?
Antithymocyte globulin (ATG)
Ciclosporin
Define sickle cell anemia
Autosomal recessive single gene defect in beta chain of haemoglobin
What gene is affected by sickle cell anaemia?
HBB
Who is primarily affected by sickle cell anaemia?
African
- Also India, Middle East and Southern Europe
What mutation causes sickle cell anaemia?
Single base mutation of GAG -> GTG which causes an amino acid substitution from glutamic acid -> valine on chromosome 11
What is sickle cell haemoglobin known as?
HbS
What are the characteristics of HbS?
Flexibility is reduced and cells become rigid, and eventually they will become irreversibly sickled
What are the affects of sickling on haemoglobin?
Shortened RBC survival -> haemolysis
Impaired passage through micro circulation -> obstruction of small vessels and tissue infarction
Why may patients with sickle cell anaemia feel well?
The cells release their oxygen more readily than normal RBCs usually!
What are the symptoms of heterozygous sickle cell anaemia?
Usually none!
Can experiments hypoxia in unpressurised plane or under anaesthetic
What are the general symptoms of homozygous SS anaemia?
Dactylitis(hands and feet swelling episode)
Anaemia
Jaundice
Splenomegaly
Delayed puberty
What are the symptoms of SSA vaso-occlusive crisis?
Dactylitis due to vaso-occlusion of small vessels in children
Pain in long bones in adults
CNS infarctions in children -> stroke, seizures
How often does vaso-occlusive crisis occur?
Depends on patient- can be every day to once a year
What is acute chest syndrome?
Vaso-occlusive crisis of the pulmonary vasculature
What is the most common cause of disease in adults with SSA?
Pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease
What causes acute chest syndrome?
Infection
Fat embolism
Pulmonary infarction (cells get stuck in vessel)
What are 3 symptoms of acute chest syndrome?
SOB
CP
Hypoxia
What causes pulmonary hypertension in patients with SSA?
Only 10%
Repeated chest crisis and repeated thromboembolism + intravascular haemolysis
What is aplastic crisis?
Occurs in SSA
Rapid fall in haemoglobin due to failure of erythopoesis
What causes aplastic crisis?
Parvovirus
Erythrovirus B19
What is splenic sequestration?
Sickle cells become trapped in spleen
What are the complications of splenic sequestration?
Fibrotic spleen
Painful enlargement
In children need URGENT transfusion
How is SSA diagnosed?
Heel prick at birth
FBC: 60-80Hb and raised reticulocytes
Positive sickle solubility test
What is the gold standard diagnosis for SSA?
Hb electrophoresis
- Shows 80-95% HbS and NO HbA