Haematology - Infection

Question 1

What is the definition of anaemia?

Answer 1

Hb <130g/L (men) and <120g/L (women)

Question 2

What would a neutrophil look like under film?

Answer 2

Most common
Multi-lobed nucleus
Granules

Question 3

What would a eosinophil look like under film?

Answer 3

Pink granules
Multi-lobed
Infrequently seen

Question 4

What would a basophil look like under film?

Answer 4

Very infrequently seen

Large granules which obscure the nucleus (usually bi-lobed)

Question 5

What would a monocyte look like under film?

Answer 5

Not granulated

Kidney bean nucleus

Question 6

What would a lymphocyte look like under film?

Answer 6

Large circular nucleus taking up most of cell

No granules

Question 7

Which cells fight off parasites?

Answer 7

Eosinophils

Question 8

What are the 3 broad categories for low Hb causes?

Answer 8

Production

Destruction

Loss of blood

Question 9

What groups of conditions cause lymphocytosis rather than neutrophillia?

What group of conditions causes the reverse?

Answer 9

Viruses

Bacteria

Question 10

What is another name for EBV?

Answer 10

Human herpesvirus 4

Question 11

What is a classic sign of EBV under blood film?

Answer 11

RBC agglutination

Question 12

What would the difference between IgG and IgM antibodies against an infection tell you?

Answer 12

IgM = current/recent infection

IgG = previous infection

Question 13

What organ is affected in EBV?

How may this present?

Answer 13

Liver

Hepatosplenomegaly and transaminitis

Question 14

What are the main causes of lymphocytosis?

Answer 14

Viruses = measles, chicken pox, EBV, CMV, influenza

Some bacteria = TB

stress and tissue infarction = MI, PE, Arrest

Haematological malignancies = lymphoma, leukaemia

Question 15

What are the main cause of red cell agglutination?

Answer 15

Infection = EBV, HIV, mycoplasma (bacteria)
Autoimmune = RA, SLE (systemic autoimmune conditions)

Question 16

Why does leucoerythroblastic mean on a blood film?

When is this usually seen?

Answer 16

Filled with immature RBC’s and WBC’s

Bacterial sepsis

Question 17

What is left shift or blood shift?

Answer 17

An increase in the number of immature leukocytes in the blood

Question 18

What blood film/count changes are seen in bacterial sepsis?

Answer 18

Neutrophillia (suggests bacteria)
Toxic granulation
Left shift (blood shift)
Leucoerythroblastia

Question 19

What is the difference between thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia?

Answer 19

Cytosis =high blood platelets count

Cytopenia = low blood platelet count

Question 20

What classic medications can cause neutrophillia?

Answer 20

Corticosteroids
Adrenaline
Lithium

Question 21

What does malaria look like on blood film/count?

Answer 21

Anaemic
Low platelet count
RBC’s appear with inclusions, having ring shaped headphone appearance

Question 22

What is the most sever plasmodium parasite cause of malaria?

Answer 22

P. Falciparum

Question 23

What incubation time of malaria?

Answer 23

From the time of infection, 7-18 days

Question 24

What is the name given to the constellation of clinical blood film/count changes seen with E. coli infection?

Answer 24

Haemolytic uraemic Syndrome

RBC destruction
Renal failure
May be diarrhoea and vomiting

Question 25

What is the name of small RBC fragments?

Answer 25

Schistocytes

Question 26

What is a marked feature of leukocytes in TB?

Answer 26

Monocytosis

Question 27

What is cryoglobulinaemia?

Answer 27

Blood containing large numbers of cold sensitive antibodies (cryoglobulins) which become insoluble at reduced temperatures, therefore clumping together

Question 28

When are cryoglobulins and liver failure seen?
IVDU
Raynauds
Pruritic, ulcerative peripheral rash

Answer 28

Hepatitis (C)