Haematology Flashcards
What are the components of blood?
Plasma, Buffy coat and red blood cells
What products are found in the Buffy coat?
Platelets
White cells
What products are found in the plasma?
Clotting, coagulation factors
Albumin
Antibodies
List functions of blood.
Transport - Oxygen and CO2, Nutrients, Waste, Messages
Maintenance of vascular integrity
Protection from pathogens
How does blood maintain vascular integrity?
Prevent leaks - platelets, clotting factors
Prevent blockage - anticoagulants, fibrinolytic
List leukocytes (white cells).
Meutrophil Monocyte Basophil Eosinophil Lymphocyte
What cells produce erythrocytes?
Erythropblast -> reticulocyte
Stem cell flux is regulated by what?
Hormones, growth factors e.g erythropoietin, G-CSF
Where is erythropoietin produced?
Made in kidney in response to hypoxia
What can you use to measure red blood cell production?
Reticulocytes
What is polycythaemia?
Too many red cells - in myeloid malignancies
What are consequences of anaemia?
Poor gas transfer, SOB, fatigue
What causes anaemia?
Deficiency in hamatinics e.g iron, folate, vit B12
or congenital - thalassaemia
What causes an increased loss in red blood cells?
Bleeding, haemolysis
What is polychromasia seen on microscopy?
Cells in body that look grey - high reticulocyte count
What is the function of platelets?
Haemostasis (and immune)
What developing white cells produce platelets?
Megakaryocytes
What regulates production of platelets?
Thrombopoietin produced in liver
What do you see in relation to platelets and liver disease/
Low platelets
What is the lifespan of platelets?
7 days
What is thrombocytopenia?
Not enough platelets
What are signs of thrombocytopenia?
Marrow failure
Immune destruction
What is thrombocytosis?
Too many platelets
What is neutrophilia and what causes it?
Too many neutrophils
Infection and inflammation
What regulates production of neutrophils?
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
When is G-CSF used therapeutically?
Neutropenia
Mobilisation of stem cells
What is neutropenia?
Decreased production of neutrophils
What can cause neutropenia?
Temporary phenomena in sepsis
Drugs
Marrow failure
What cells make up the reticuloendothelial system?
Monocytes
What do monocytes differentiate into?
Macrophages
Dendritic cells
What is the function of eosinophils?
Parasitic infections
Allergies
List two causes of lymphocytosis.
Infectious mononucleosis
Pertussis
What cells are important in the adaptive immune system?
Lymphocytes
List causes of lymphopenia.
Post-viral
Lymphoma
What are the three subtypes of lymphocytes?
B, T, NK cells
Where are lymphocytes produced?
B cells - Bone marrow
T cells - thymus
In B cell maturation, when in the pathway can ALL occur?
Errors at progenitor V cell splicing in bone marrow
Where do most lymphomas arise from?
Within lymph node during somatic hypermutation
What do class 1 HLA molecules display?
Internal antigens on all nucleated cells
Self antigen
What do class 2 HLA molecules display?
Display antigens eaten by professional APCs
What is the purpose of HLA molecules?
Immune cells read HLA- barcode on cells to identify self vs non-self or uninfected vs infected cells
List systemic diseases that affect the blood.
RA - Anaemia, Folate deficiency, immune haemolysis, neutrophilia, immune thrombocytopenia
What is felty syndrome?
Large spleen and thrombocytopenia linked to that. Early lymphoma.
What is a paraprotein?
Malignancy or early malignancy of plasma cell –> one type of cell (too much plasma)
What causes too little plasma proteins?
Haemophilia (little clotting factors or abnormal)
What is the normal range of Haemoglobin?
Male - 135-170
Female - 120-160
What is the normal range of platelets?
150-400
What is the normal range of WBC?
4-10
What is the normal range of neutrophils?
1.5-7
List diagnostic tools for haematological disorders.
FBC Clotting times for factors and platelets Chemical assays - B12, iron, folate Marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy, lymph node biopsy Imaging
List common haematological treatments.
Replacement
Transplantation
Drugs
If you are blood group A, what do you have antibodies against?
B
If you are blood group B, what do you have antibodies against?
A
If you are blood group O, what do you have antibodies against?
A and B
If you are blood group AB, what do you have antibodies against?
NO antibodies
What blood type is the universal donor?
O
What blood type is the universal recipient?
AB
If you are blood group A, there is anti-B in the plasma. Who can you donate FFP to?
A and O
instead of A and AB in red cells
What happens if RhD- individuals can make anti-D if exposed top RhD+?
Transfusion reactions, haemolytic disease in newborns
What are blood donations tested for?
HepB/C/E, HIV, Syphilis
Variably for HTLV1, malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus
List indications for red cell transfusions
Correct sever acute anaemia
Improve QoL if uncorrectable anaemia
Prepare patient for recover
Reverse damage caused by own red cells e.g sickle cell
How long do you transfuse blood over?
2-4 units
How long do you transfuse platelets over?
20-30 minutes
What are indications for platelet transfusion?
Massive haemorrhage
Bone marrow failure
Prophylaxis for surgery
Cardiopulmonary bypass
Compare storage temperature and time of red cells and plasma?
Red cells - 4 degrees
Platelets - 22 degrees, 7 days help life
In patients receiving chemo, what are platelets used for?
Preventing intracranial haemorrhage
Where does 1 unit of FFP come from?
1 unit of blood
How is FFP stored?
Frozen, need 30 mins to thaw
What are indications for FFP?
Massive haemorrhage
DIC with bleeding
Prophylactic
What lab tests are carried out for FFP?
PT and APTT
What lab tests are carried out for cryoprecipitate?
Fibrinogen
When dealing with the blood bank, what is required to get blood?
Blood sample- EDTA
Two sample policy
Group and screen/save
Cross match
What is group and screening?
ABO and RhD type
Checked against historical records
Screen for all all-antibodies in serum
What is Coombs test?
Used when looking for other IgG antibodies in lab
–> indicates a condition known as hemolytic anemia, in which your blood does not contain enough red blood cells because they are destroyed prematurely.
If you are pregnant and RhD- and developed anti-D (nearly always IgG which crosses placenta). What can happen to baby?
If baby RhD+ (inherited from father) –> haemolytic disease - die in utero or at birth
How is haemolytic disease prevented in newborn with mother who is RhD-?
Prophylactic anti-D (routine at 28/40)
What should you monitor if giving anti-D?
Monitor antibody titres
Doppler USS
Intrauterine transfusions
What causes neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia?
Similar process to anti-D but for platelets
List cellular therapies that use blood donations?
Leucapheresis - bone marrow harvests, donor lymphocyte infusions
Gene therapies
What is anaemia?
Reduction in red cells or haemoglobin content
List aetiologies of anaemia.
Blood loss
Increased destruction
Lack of production
Defective production
What are reticulocytes?
Immature RBCs
What substances are required for red cell production?
Metals e.g iron
Vitamins e.g B12, folic acid
Hormones e.g erythropoietin , GM-CSF
How long does a RBC live?
120 days
How are RBCs broken down?
In reticuloendothelial system
Globin –> AAs reused
Haem –> iron recycled to Hb, uncongucated bilirubin
What 3 components make up RBCs?
Membrane
Enzymes
Haemoglobin
What causes congenital anaemias?
Genetic defects in RBC - membrane, enzymes, Hb
What happens if there are defects in the cell membrane of RBC?
Increased cell destruction
What is hereditary spherocytosis?
Red cell membrane disorder - one of most common, autosomal dominant
RBCs are spherical - removed from circulation faster by reticuloendothelial system
How do patients with hereditary spherocytosis present?
Anaemia
Jaundice (neonatal)
Splenomegaly
Pigment gallstones
How do you treat hereditary spherocytosis?
Folic acid
Transfusion
Splenectomy if anaemia very severe
what are the two main enzyme pathways in RBCs?
Glycolysis
Pentose phosphate shunt
Give an example of an enzyme abnormality of RBCs.
G6-PD
Cells vulnerable to oxidative damage (since normal function is to protect)
What does G6PD deficiency confer protection against?
Malaria
How does G6PD deficiency present?
Variable: anaemia, neonatal jaundice, splenomegaly, pigment gallstones
What can precipitate G6PD deficiency?
Drugs
Broad beans
Infection
Acute illness
List two enzyme deficiencies of RBCs.
G6DP deficiency
Pyruvate kinase deficiency
What happens to the oxygen dissociation curve if acidosis?
Shifts to right
What happens to the oxygen dissociation curve if increased temperature?
Shifts to right
What happens to the oxygen dissociation curve if increased DBG?
Shifts to right
What is normal adult haemoglobin made of/
Alpha genes, beta chains, little delta and gamma chains
In terms of chains, what is normal adult haemoglobin made from?
Hb A = aabb
What are the two main types of thalassaemias (reduced or absent globing chains?
Alpha and beta
Give an example of a mutation that leads to structurally abnormal globing chain/
HbS (sickle cell) - beta chain abnormality combined to normal alpha chain
What are consequences of HbS?
haemolysis –> vaso-occlusion
How do patients with sickle cell disease present?
Painful vaso-occlusive crises - bone
Stroke
Chest crisis
Increased infection risk
Chronic haemolytic anaemia - gallstones, aplastic crises
Sequestrain crises - spleen (Hyposplenia), liver
What is a sickle cell crisis?
Severe pain
How do you manage acute sickle cell crisis?
Opiates within 30 mins of presentation for one hour Hydration Oxygen Consider antibiotics Blood transfusion (HbF doesn't sickle)
What bones present with a painful crisis in children vs adults
Adults - long bone, back and hip
Children - small bones
What life long prophylaxis is given for sickle cell disease?
Vaccination Penicillin (and malarial) prophylaxis Folic acid Disease modifying drugs - hydroxycarbamide Bone marrow transplant Gene therapy
What causes thalassaemia?
Reduced or absent globing chain production - in alpha or beta genes
If you don’t inherit any alpha chains from parents, can you make HbF?
No, incompatible with life
Also dangerous for mother
If you don’t inherit any beta chains from parents, can you make HbF?
Yes with alpha and gamma chains
Compatible with life but severe anaemia - need regular transfusions
Name a transfusion dependent thalassaemia.
Beta thalassaemia major
What are signs of beta thalassaemia major?
Failure to thrive Bony deformaties Splenomegaly Growth retardation Ineffective bone marrow expands
How do you treat beta thalassaemia major?
Chronic transfusion support - 4-6 weeks
Why do you need iron chelation for beta thalassaemia major?
Prevents iron overloading and reduced life expectancy
Name a curative therapy for thalassaemia.
Bone marrow transplant
What factors can affect normal range of haemoglobin?
Age Sex Ethnic origin Time of day sample taken Time to analyse
What are the reference ranges for haemoglobin?
Male 12-70 (140-180) and >70 (116-156)
Female aged 12-70 (120-160), >70 years (108-143)
List clinical features of anaemia.
Tiredness/pallor Breathlessness Swelling of ankles Dizziness Chest pain
What is MCH and MCV?
Mean cell haemoglobin
Mean cell volume
How can RBC be described morphologically?
Hypochromic, microcytic
Normochromic normocytic
Macrocytic
If macrocytic RBCs seen morphologically, what is this a sign of?
B12/folate deficient
or bone marrow problem
If hypochromic microcytic RBCs seen morphologically, what should you test for?
Serum ferritin
If normochromic normocytic RBCs seen morphologically, what should you test for?
Reticulocyte count - if low - may be aplastic anaemia, malignancy (i.e issue with bone marrow)
If you have hypo chromic microcytic anaemia and serum ferritin is normal or increased, what would this suggest?
Thalassaemia
Secondary anaemia
Sideroblastic anaemia
If you have hypo chromic microcytic anaemia and serum ferritin is low, what would this suggest?
Iron deficiency
What is the connection of ferritin and CRP?
Ferritin = acute phase reactant (goes up with CRP)
What is your total body iron?
approx 4g
Where is hepcidin synthesised?
Liver
What is the role of ferroportin?
Transports iron from enterocytes in gut and macrophages to iron stores by being bound to transferrin
What is the role of hepcidin?
When there is increased iron, blocks ferroportin so decreases intestinal iron absorption and mobilisation from reticuloendothelial cells
What is the commonest cause of anaemia?
Iron deficiency
What can cause iron deficiency anaemia?
Dyspepsia Menorrhagia Diet Increased requirement e.g pregnancy Malabsorption - gastrectomy, coeliac
List clinical signs of iron deficiency anaemia seen on examination.
Koilonychia
Angular cheilitis
Atrophic tongue
How do you manage iron deficiency anaemia?
Correct deficiency - oral iron, IV iron if intolerant, blood transfusion rare
Correct cause - diet, ulcer therapy, gynaecology interventions, surgery
If normochromic normocytic anaemia with normal/low reticulocyte count what could be the cause?
Secondary anaemia
If normochromic normocytic anaemia with high reticulocyte count what could be the cause?
Acute blood loss
Haemolysis
What can cause haemolytic anaemia?
accelerated red cell destruction (reduce Hb)
Compensation by bone marrow (increased metic count)
What are the two different types of acquired haemolytic anaemia.
Immune - mostly extravascular
Non-immune - mostly intravascular
What is the purpose of a direct anti globulin test?
Detects antibody or complement on red cell membrane
immune haemolysis - autoimmune issue?
If DAGT positive in haemolytic anaemia, what does this suggest?
Immune mediated
How can you work out if patient is haemolysing?
FBC Reticulocyte count Blood film Serum bilirubin LDH
Should your reticulocyte count be high or low if haemolysing?
High
What tests are used in haemolytic anaemia?
Hx and Ex
Blood film
Direct antiglobulin test (Coomb’s test)
How do you manage haemolytic anaemia?
Support marrow - folic acid
Correct cause - immunosuppression if autoimmune, splenectomy, treat sepsis
Consider transfusion
What is the commonest cause of microcytic anaemia?
B12 deficiency and folate deficiency
What is megaloblastic anaemia?
B12 and folate deficiency
What can cause B12 deficiency?
Pernicious anaemia
Gastric/ileal disease
What can cause folate deficiency?
Dietary, increased requirements, GI pathology
What clinical signs would suggest megaloblastic anaemia?
“Lemon yellow” tinge
What is pernicious anaemia?
Autoimmune disease
Develop antibodies against intrinsic factor
Malabsorption of dietary B12
How do you manage megaloblastic anaemia?
Replace vitamin
B12: intramuscular injection - loading dose then 3 monthly maintenance
Oral folate replacement