Haematology Flashcards
Standard dose of iron supplementation?
Ferrous Fumarate 210mg tds for 3 months
Take with food (reduce SE)
Standard dose for folate deficiency?
Folic acid 5mg od for 4 months
Standard dose for B12 deficiency?
Loading doses- 3 injections weekly for 2 weeks, them 3 monthly (usually for life)
What is microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia associated with?
Prosthetic heart valves (malfunctioning)
Smoking can cause an increase in?
Hb, RBC, WCC
What does chronic marrow hyperplasia cause?
Short stature
Increase energy demand in marrow= decreased energy for growth
What is the test for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
Direct Coomb’s test
What is warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
IgG mediated
What is cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
IgM mediated
Lifespan of a neutrophil?
7-8 hours in blood
Few days in tissue
What are B symptoms?
Weight loss, fever, night sweats
What does high PV indicate?
Increased protein in blood
- immunoglobulins (very high increase- usually malignant),
- acute phase reaction proteins (mild increase) etc.
How can high PV be further investigated?
Electrophoresis
What is rouleaux?
Stacks or aggregations of RBC
Occurs when plasma protein concentration is high
What is the target INR?
2.5 (2-3)
What is a leucoerythroblastic blood film?
Immature RBC and immature white cells in the blood stream
What can interact with warfarin and increase efficacy? (high INR)
Antibiotics
In haemolysis, what happens to haptoglobin and LDH levels in blood?
Haptoglobin decreases- binder for free Hb in RBC
LDH increases - releases from RBC
What is MAHA?
Increased activation of coagulation forms fibrin mesh- RBC are physically damaged by these networks.
Small vessel damage to organs
What 3 things does TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) cause?
Low platelets
Low RBC
Kidney Failure
(similar to HUS)
What are CRAB criteria for myeloma?
Calcium elevation
Renal failure
Anaemia
Bone disease
What is Rituximab?
Monoclonal antibody than binds CD20 on lymphoma/leukaemia cells and induces lysis and apoptosis
What is Imatinib?
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition
For cancers with Philadelphia chromosome (CML, ALL)
What can gram negative bacteria cause in neutropenic patients?
Fulminant life-threatening sepsis
What should everyone with a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma be tested for?
HIV
Important cause of generalised lymphadenopathy +/- lymphopenia/thrombocytopenia?
HIV
What is used to monitor intrinsic pathway?
APTT
play table tennis INside
What is used to monitor extrinsic pathway?
PT
PT= less extra letters
Which pathway does heparin act on?
Intrinsic pathway
INtrinsic= heparIN
Which pathways does warfarin act on?
eXtrinsic
X-1= Warfarin
Red cell fragmentation + polychromasia?
MAHA- microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
- can be due to HUS- ecoli (if + renal impairment)
What is the best test to use for sickle cell disease?
HPLC- haemoglobin high performance liquid chromatography (of whole blood lysate)
- confirm presence of HbS
Macroovalocytes and hypersegmented neutrophils?
B12/folate deficiency
Excess of blasts with Auer rods?
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Where does erythropoiesis take place in embryo?
Spleen
Where does erythropoiesis take place at birth?
Bone marrow + liver/spleen if needed
Where does erythropoiesis take place in adults
Bone marrow of: Skull Ribs Sternum Pelvis Proximal head of femur etc. (more in children, progressive loss of sites in ageing)
What feature do stem cells have that allow them to remain in good numbers?
Self-renewal
When divide, one stays as stem cell and one differentiates
What happens to erythrocytes as they differentiate? (3)
Increased Hb
Decreased nuclear size + RNA
Decreased cell size
Describe platelet formation?
In megakaryocytes
Form in cytoplasm at periphery and bud off
What can raised neutrophils?
Infection
Trauma
Infarction
What are monocytes?
Precursors to macrophages
How to test for specific precursor cells and how does it work?
Immunophenotyping
Studies antigen expression on lymphoid cells
Where is bone marrow commonly aspirated from in adults?
Posterior iliac crests
RBC energy source?
Glycolysis (no mitochondria)
What is haemoglobin made up of?
1 haem group (porphyrin ring + Fe2+)
2 alpha, 2 beta globin chains
4O2
How are cells destroyed in the spleen?
Actively phagocytosed by macrophages
What do globin chains become after destruction?
Amino acids
What do haem groups become after destruction?
Bilirubin
How do RBC prevent Fe2+ becoming Fe3+?
Reduced by NADH from glycolysis
How do RBC prevent oxidative damage from free radicals?
Glutathione formed from NADPH
What is the rate limiting enzyme involved in the conversion of NADPH to glutathione?
G6PD
How is CO2 transported in blood?
Mostly bicarbonate (also bound to Hb or dissolved)
What is cooperative binding?
O2 binding changes Hb shape to make more binding easier
SIGMOID CURVE
How do small molecules binding to Hb affect O2 affinity and tissue O2 delivery?
e.g. H+, CO2, 2,3-DPG
O2 affinity decreased
More released to tissue
Redistributive causes of low blood count?
Portal hypertension- splenomegaly- blood trapped in spleen
Redistributive causes of high blood count?
Steroids redistribute neutrophils to centre of vessel
What is haematocrit a measure of?
Volume of RBCs as % of total blood volume
Do reticulocytes have a nucleus/RNA?
No nucleus
Still some RNA
Cause of microcytic RBCs?
Problem with haemoglobin production (cytoplasmic maturation)
Cause of macrocytic RBCs?
Problems with nuclear maturation (cell division)
In iron deficiency, what happens to transferrin levels?
Increase (apotransferrin- unbound)
Causes of iron deficiency?
Dietary
Blood loss
Pregnancy
Malabsorption
What increase in iron should be seen with iron replacement therapy?
7-10g/week
What is compensated haemolysis?
Increased RBC production so not anaemic
Ways of measuring haemolysis? (2)
Reticulocytes Breakdown products (increased)
What is extravascular haemolysis?
In spleen+ liver- organomegaly
Release porphyrin–>
JAUNDICE + GALLSTONES
(normal products in excess)
What is intravascular haemolysis and causes?
Destroyed within circulation:
- ABO incompatibility
- G6PD deficiency
- Falciparum malaria
What is released during intravascular haemolysis? (4)
Abnormal products:
- Free Hb in serum
- Hb + albumin complex
- Pink urine- free Hb (black if oxidised)
- Haemosideruria (iron protein in urine)
Warm autoimmune haemolysis?
IgG
Cold autoimmune haemolysis?
IgM
Diagnosis of autoimmune haemolysis?
Direct Coomb’s test- identify antibody bound to own RBCs- agglutination= +ve test
Other causes of autoimmune haemolysis? (2)
Haemolytic transfusion reaction
Haemolytic disease of newborn
Mechanical causes of haemolysis?
DIC HUS TTP Leaking heart valve- damage membrane Infections e.g. malaria
Name 1 acquired cause of abnormal RBC membrane leading to haemolysis?
Vitamin E deficiency
Pathology of hereditary spherocytosis?
Mutations in membrane proteins that maintain flexibility/integrity- form spherical shape and spleen destroys
Features of G6PD deficiency?
X linked- men only
Can’t generate ATP in RBCs
In haemolysis, what happens to serum haptoglobins?
Decreased (bind the excess free Hb released)
What should all patients with a form of haemolytic anaemia be given and why?
Folic acid
Stimulate haematopoesis
Causes of microcytic anaemia? (7)
Iron deficiency Thalassemia Sideroblastic anaemia Anaemia of chronic disease Lead poisoning Alcohol/drugs Haemolysis (hereditary or acquired)
Causes of macrocytic anaemia? (5)
Pernicious anaemia Folate def. Alcohol/drugs Liver disease Hypothyroidism Marrow failure
What is HbA?
Normal Hb- 2 alpha 2 beta
What is HbA2?
2 alpha + 2 delta
What is HbF?
Foetal Hb- 2 alpha + 2 gamma
How is expression of globin changes regulated throughout life?
Genes arranged in order of expression- get turned on/off in right-left pattern
What are thalassemias?
Decreased globin synthesis (therefore low haemoglobin)
2 types of thalassemias?
Alpha thalassemia= alpha chains affected
Beta thalassemia= beta chains affected
Unbalanced accumulation of globin chains in thalassemias lead to..?
Toxic- leads to ineffective erythropoesis + haemolysis
Where are alpha genes found and how many are there?
Chromosome 16
4 genes
Where are beta genes found and how many are there?
Chromosome 11
2 genes
Alpha thalassemia affects which types of haemoglobin?
All types (all have alpha chains)
Symptoms of alpha thalassemia trait?
Asymptomatic
What is HbH disease?
One alpha gene left
Anaemia, Splenomegaly, Jaundice
What is Hb Barts Hydrops Fetalis?
No alpha genes- no HbA
Severe anaemia, cardiac failure, reduced growth, severe hepatosplenomegaly, skeletal abnormalities
most DIE IN UTERO
What is beta thalassemia caused by?
Point mutation
Only affects HbA
Symptoms of beta thalassemia major?
Pallor, failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, skeletal changes- forehead/skull enlarged
Management of beta thalassemia major?
Regular transfusions
How do sickling disorders occur?
Point mutation in beta gene- makes HbS
How do sickling disorders cause anaemia?
HbS polymerises in low O2- damage RBC membrane
When might people with sickle trait suffer?
In severe hypoxia
Features of HbSS (sickle cell anaemia)?
2 abnormal genes- AR
Haemolysis + hyposplenism
What is sickle crisis?
Causes tissue infarction de to vascular occlusion
Pain- CNS, lung, marrow, hands, feet etc.
Precipitants of sickle crisis?
Hypoxia Dehydration Infection Cold Stress Fatigue
Management of sickle cell anaemia?
Prophylactic penicillin
Folic acid
Regular transfusion
Hydroxycarbamide
Diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia?
Blood film
Gel ELECTROPHORESIS
What does megaloblastic mean?
Abnormally large nucleated red cells with immature nuclei
failure to become smaller
Cause of megaloblastic anaemia?
Defects in DNA synthesis/nuclear maturation + more prone to apoptosis:
B12/folate deficiency
Sources of folate?
Veg, cereal, kidney beans, yeast
B12 absorption? (5)
- R-binder protein in mouth + stomach
- Intrinsic factor from parietal cells
- Pancreatic proteases in duodenum increase pH
- Breaks down R-binder, B12 binds to intrinsic factor
- Through to ileum- endocytosed
Body reserves of B12?
2-4 years
Causes of B12 deficiency?
Veganism Gastritis Bypass surgery Chronic pancreatitis Coeliac/Crohn's PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA
What is pernicious anaemia?
Autoimmune destruction of parietal cells- intrinsic factor deficiency- low B12 absorption
What is pernicious anaemia associated with?
Other autoimmune- hypothyroid, vitiligo, Addison’s
Where is folate absorbed?
Jejunum
Causes of folate deficiency?
Dietary Haemolysis Malignancy Coeliac/Crohn's Pregnancy Anti-convulsants
Body reserves of folate?
4 months
Clinical features of folate deficiency?
Anaemia Weight loss Diarrhoea Jaundice Developmental problems
Clinical features of B12 deficiency?
Sore (beefy) tongue
NEUROLOGICAL- neuropathy, dementia, column abnormalities
Autoantibodies in pernicious anaemia?
IF- anti-intrinsic factor
GPC- anti-gastric parietal cell
What is non-megaloblastic anaemia?
Due to red cell membrane changes (mature but large cells)
Causes of non-megaloblastic anaemia?
Alcohol
Liver disease
Hypothyroidism
Marrow failure
When might you get a false macrocytosis (false high MCV)? (2)
- Reticulocytosis- analysed as RBC but larger so give false large MCV
- Cold agglutinations- in lymphoma
What can cause normocytic normochromatic anaemia? (3)
- Acute blood loss
- Early iron def.
- Hypoproliferative- chronic disease, renal failure, hypothyroid, marrow failure
What is renal anaemia?
Lack of erythropoietin in renal failure
How does anaemia of chronic disease occur?
Inflammation causes upregulation of HEPCIDIN
- inhibits Fe absorption + release
- low erythropoiesis
Where does iron get absorbed?
Duodenum
What enhances iron absorption? (3)
- Haem iron (red meat)- easy to digest
- Ascorbic acid (vit C)
- Alcohol
What inhibits iron absorption? (3)
- Tannins (tea)
- Phytates (cereals, nuts, seeds)
- Calcium
In the duodenum, what converts Fe3 to Fe2?
Duodenal cytochrome B
What transports Fe2 into duodenal enterocyte?
DMT 1
How is iron exported from the duodenal enterocyte to bind to transferrin in the blood?
Ferroportin
What does hepcidin do?
Inhibit iron uptake- trap iron in duodenal cells
due to inflammation, iron overload etc.
How much iron is needed per day?
25mg
How much iron is in plasma?
4mg (rest in macrophages/hepatocytes)
Skin and nail signs of iron deficiency?
Koilonychia
Angular stomatitis
In iron overload, where is iron kept?
In parenchymal tissue e.g. liver, heart etc.
Oxidative stress causes organ damage
Mutation in hereditary heaemochromatosis?
HFE gene
Low hepcidin- high iron absorption
Bloods in hereditary heaemochromatosis?
Iron >5g
Transferrin sats >50%
Ferritin >300 micrograms/L
Presentation of hereditary heaemochromatosis?
In 40s-50s
Fatigue, joint pain, arthritis, cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, impotence etc.
Treatment of hereditary heaemochromatosis?
Weekly venesection (450-500ml) Keep ferritin <50micrograms/L
Secondary cause of iron overload?
Repeated transfusions
Thalassemias etc.
What does FFP contain?
Clotting factors
What does cryoprecipitate contain?
Fibrinogen
The genes responsible for ABO are on which chromosome?
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