Haematology - Infection Flashcards
What is the definition of anaemia?
Hb <130g/L (men) and <120g/L (women)
What would a neutrophil look like under film?
Most common
Multi-lobed nucleus
Granules
What would a eosinophil look like under film?
Pink granules
Multi-lobed
Infrequently seen
What would a basophil look like under film?
Very infrequently seen
Large granules which obscure the nucleus (usually bi-lobed)
What would a monocyte look like under film?
Not granulated
Kidney bean nucleus
What would a lymphocyte look like under film?
Large circular nucleus taking up most of cell
No granules
Which cells fight off parasites?
Eosinophils
What are the 3 broad categories for low Hb causes?
Production
Destruction
Loss of blood
What groups of conditions cause lymphocytosis rather than neutrophillia?
What group of conditions causes the reverse?
Viruses
Bacteria
What is another name for EBV?
Human herpesvirus 4
What is a classic sign of EBV under blood film?
RBC agglutination
What would the difference between IgG and IgM antibodies against an infection tell you?
IgM = current/recent infection
IgG = previous infection
What organ is affected in EBV?
How may this present?
Liver
Hepatosplenomegaly and transaminitis
What are the main causes of lymphocytosis?
Viruses = measles, chicken pox, EBV, CMV, influenza
Some bacteria = TB
stress and tissue infarction = MI, PE, Arrest
Haematological malignancies = lymphoma, leukaemia
What are the main cause of red cell agglutination?
Infection = EBV, HIV, mycoplasma (bacteria) Autoimmune = RA, SLE (systemic autoimmune conditions)
Why does leucoerythroblastic mean on a blood film?
When is this usually seen?
Filled with immature RBC’s and WBC’s
Bacterial sepsis
What is left shift or blood shift?
An increase in the number of immature leukocytes in the blood
What blood film/count changes are seen in bacterial sepsis?
Neutrophillia (suggests bacteria)
Toxic granulation
Left shift (blood shift)
Leucoerythroblastia
What is the difference between thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia?
Cytosis =high blood platelets count
Cytopenia = low blood platelet count
What classic medications can cause neutrophillia?
Corticosteroids
Adrenaline
Lithium
What does malaria look like on blood film/count?
Anaemic
Low platelet count
RBC’s appear with inclusions, having ring shaped headphone appearance
What is the most sever plasmodium parasite cause of malaria?
P. Falciparum
What incubation time of malaria?
From the time of infection, 7-18 days
What is the name given to the constellation of clinical blood film/count changes seen with E. coli infection?
Haemolytic uraemic Syndrome
RBC destruction
Renal failure
May be diarrhoea and vomiting
What is the name of small RBC fragments?
Schistocytes
What is a marked feature of leukocytes in TB?
Monocytosis
What is cryoglobulinaemia?
Blood containing large numbers of cold sensitive antibodies (cryoglobulins) which become insoluble at reduced temperatures, therefore clumping together
When are cryoglobulins and liver failure seen?
IVDU
Raynauds
Pruritic, ulcerative peripheral rash
Hepatitis (C)
