Hematology Flashcards
Define anisocytosis and poikilocytosis.
varying size and varying shape
What is the primary source of energy for RBCs?
glucose
What is the life span of erythrocytes and platelets?
- erythrocytes: 120 days
- platelets: 8-10 days
What do we call the two most significant granules in platelets? What does each contain?
- alpha granules contain vWF, fibrinogen, and fibronectin
- delta (dense) granules contain ADP and Ca2+
What is GPIb?
the vWF receptor found on platelets
What is GP IIb-IIIa?
the fibrinogen receptor found on platelets
What are the contents of the specific and azurophilic granules of neutrophils?
- specific contain alkaline phosphatase, collagenase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin
- azurophilic contain proteinases, acid phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, and B-glucuronidase
Hyper-segmented neutrophils (>5 lobes) are a feature of which hematologic disorder?
B12 or folate deficiency (megaloblastic anemia)
List the four most important neutrophil chemoattractants.
- bacterial products
- LTB4
- IL-8
- C5a
How can we identify monocytes in circulation?
they have large, kidney-shaped nuclei
What is the purpose of monocytes?
they differentiate into macrophages in tissues
Which cell population is responsible for responding to bacterial LPS and initiating septic shock? What CD is responsible for binding LPS?
macrophages express CD14, which binds LPS
Macrophages are activated by what cytokine?
IFNy
What is major basic protein?
an eosinophilic protein that defends against helminths
What are the five most significant causes of eosinophilia?
“NAACP”
- neoplasia (specifically, Hodgkin Lymphoma)
- asthma
- allergic process
- chronic adrenal insufficiency
- parasites
Basophil granules contain what two important products?
- heparin and histamine
- it synthesizes leukotrienes on demand
What substance can prevent mast cell degranulation and is therefore used in asthma prophylaxis?
cromolyn sodium
What are Langerhans cells?
dendritic cells found in the dermis
Describe the appearance of lymphocytes.
- they have a round, dense nucleus
- scant, pale cytoplasm
What is the characteristic appearance of plasma cells?
a “clock-face” nucleus located at the periphery of the cell
Where does erythropoiesis occur in the developing fetus and after birth?
- begins in the yolk sac 3-8 weeks into gestation
- moves to the liver and then spleen
- produced in the marrow starting at roughly 18 weeks gestation in all bones
- as an individual ages, erythropoiesis is concentrated in the flat bones of the axial skeleton
Why does HbF have a higher O2 affinity than HbA?
because it has a lower affinity for 2,3-BPG
What are embryonic globins?
epsilon and zeta globins expressed in the early developing fetus until HbF levels build up
Antibodies in our plasma against ABO blood antigens are of which isotype?
mostly IgM
Which mothers must be treated with RhoGAM during and after pregnancy?
those that are Rh- (aka Rhd)
What is Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn? How is it prevented?
- Rhd mothers exposed to fetal RhD blood (often during delivery) make anti-D IgG
- in subsequent pregnancies this IgG crosses the placenta, causing erythroblastosis fetalis
- this is prevented by administering RhoGAM to Rhd pregnant women during the third trimester
What is ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn? How is it treated?
- anti-A or anti-B IgG from type O mothers crosses the placenta, attacking the fetal erythrocytes
- these antibodies are preformed so it can occur in the first pregnancy and does not worsen in future pregnancies
- presents with mild jaundice in the neonate within 24 hours of birth
- treat with phototherapy
In what order do the various hemoglobins run on electrophoresis?
A Fat Santa Claus
- HbA runs the furthest from the cathode
- HbF runs next
- HbS after that
- HbC runs the shortest distance
What is kallikrein?
a molecule that activates bradykinin
What are the major effects of bradykinin?
- vasodilation of the arteriole
- increased vascular permeability in the post-cap venule
- pain
Which coagulation cascade proteins are Vitamin K dependent?
- 2, 7, 9, 10
- plus protein C and S
What activates the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade?
- collagen
- basement membrane
- activated platelets
- HMWK
What is aminocaproic acid?
- a lysine analog that inhibits proteolytic enzymes like tPA
- it is therefore used to treat bleeding disorders or bleeding during and after surgery
Draw the coagulation cascade (intrinsic, extrinsic, propagation, and common pathways) and list the enzymes important in fibrinolysis.
See page 383 of FA
Describe the role of Vitamin K in the coagulation cascade including how it is activated and what function it performs.
- it is activated by epoxide reductase in the liver
- reduced vitamin K then serves as a cofactor for gammaglutamyl transferase
- the gammacarboxylation of glutamate residues on coagulation cascade proteins adds a second positive charge, allowing Ca2+ to bind, inducing a conformation change that inserts the protein into the phospholipid membrane where it can interact with the necessary cofactor phosphatidylserine
How does warfarin act as an anti-coagulant?
it inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase
What is antithrombin III? How does it work? What is it’s net effect? What are it’s primary targets?
- it is an anti-coagulant
- heparin enhances it’s activity which is to cleave the serine proteases FIIa and FXa
Describe the steps of platelet plug formation (aka primary hemostasis).
- endothelial damage triggers transient vasoconstriction via neural reflex and release of endothelin
- vWF from alpha-granules and Weibel-Palade bodies binds exposed collagen
- platelets bind vWF via GPIb and undergo a conformational change, releasing ADP, Ca2+ and TXA2
- ADP binding to platelet receptors induces GPIIb-IIIa expression on platelet surfaces while thromboxane A2 promotes platelet aggregation
- fibrinogen binds GPIIb-IIIa and links platelets
What is thromboxane A2?
a prothrombic protein synthesized by platelets once activated using COX which then serves to activate additional platelets and promote platelet aggregation
Failure of platelet agglutination with ristocetin occurs in what two diseases?
vWF disease and Bernard-Soulier syndrome
What are Heinz bodies? What disease are they associated with? How are they formed? What do they lead to?
- a feature of G6PD deficiency
- form when oxidative stress precipitates hemoglobin (by forming sulfide bonds)
- likely removed by the spleen to form bite cells
What are Howell-Jolly bodies? When are they seen?
they are basophilic nuclear remnants found in RBCs that are normally removed by splenic macrophages but are seen in patients with asplenia or splenic dysfunction
Basophilic stippling of RBCs is indicative of what three pathologies?
- lead poisoning
- sideroblastic anemia (defect in porphyrin metabolism)
- myelodysplastic syndromes
Dacrocytes (tear drop-shaped RBCs) are indicative of what pathology?
a bone marrow infiltrate
What are bite cells? How are they formed?
bite cells are feature of G6PD deficiency which from when oxidative stress precipitates hemoglobin, forming Heinz bodies which are then removed by splenic macrophages leaving bite cells
How do acanthocytes (spur cells) differ from echinocytes (burr cells)? When are both seen?
- they are pathologic RBCs
- echinocytes have smaller, more uniform projections than acanthocytes
- acanthocytes: liver disease and a state of cholesterol dysregulation called abetalipoproteinemia
- echinocytes: end-stage renal disease, liver disease, pyruvate kinase deficiency
What pathology are elliptocytes associated with?
they are seen in hereditary elliptocytosis, an asymptomatic condition caused by mutations in genes encoding RBC membrane proteins like spectrin
What are ringed sideroblasts?
pathologic RBCs found in those with sideroblastic anemia and formed via the excess accumulation of iron in mitochondria
Target cells are a feature of which pathologies?
“HALT” said the hunter to his target
- HbC disease
- Asplenia
- Liver disease
- Thalassemia
Orotic Aciduria
- an autosomal recessive defect in UMP synthase, a pyrimidine synthesis pathway enzyme responsible for converting orotic acid to UMP
- presents in children with failure to thrive, developmental delay, and megaloblastic anemia refractory to folate or B12
- normal levels of ammonia (versus ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency)
- treat with UMP to bypass the mutated enzyme
All megaloblastic anemias have what in common?
- impaired DNA synthesis
- presenting with a macrocytic anemia, hyper-segmented neutrophils, and glossitis
Name four megaloblastic anemias.
- folate deficiency
- B12 deficiency
- orotic aciduria
- Diamond-Blackfan anemia
Diamond-Blackfan anemia
- a megaloblastic anemia with rapid-onset in the first year of life
- due to an intrinsic defect in erythroid progenitor cells
- presents with elevated HbF, short stature, craniofacial abnormalities, and upper extremity malformations (e.g. triphalangeal thumbs)
Nonmegaloblastic macrocytic anemia
- a macrocytic anemia in which DNA synthesis is not impaired
- caused by alcoholism or liver disease
- presents with a macrocytic anemia without hypersegmented neutrophils
Fanconi Anemia
- an aplastic anemia caused by a DNA repair defect
- results in bone marrow failure
- presents with a non-hemolytic normocytic anemia, short stature, cafe-au-lait spots, and thumb/radial defects
- increased risk for neoplasias
What is the role of transferrin? Ferritin?
transferrin is the transport form of iron while ferritin is the storage form
How do corticosteroids affect differential WBC counts?
- sequester eosinophils in lymph nodes, causing an EOSINOPENIA
- trigger apoptosis of lymphocytes, causing a LYMPHPENIA
- decrease activation of neutrophil adhesion molecules, impairing migration, causing a NEUTROPHILIA
Lead poisoning resembles what other group of disorders?
resembles porphyria because lead inhibits specific enzymes needed in heme synthesis
Lead Poisoning
- lead inhibits ferrochelatase and ALA dehydratase, enzymes needed for heme synthesis
- ALA and protoporphyrin accumulate in the blood
- presents with a microcytic, sideroblastic anemia with basophilic stippling, GI and kidney disease
- causes mental deterioration in children (most likely from exposure to lead paint)
- causes headache, memory loss, and demyelination in adults (most likely from exposure to batteries or ammunition)
Porphyria cutanea tarda
- the most common porphyria
- a blistering cutaneous photosensitivity caused by uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase deficiency
- AD with incomplete penetrance, symptoms begin after a stressor like HCV, alcoholism, estrogen replacement
- uroporphyrin builds up in the urine (tea-colored urine)
- treat with phlebotomy to reduce hepatic iron stores
Acute Intermittent Porphyria
- the most common acute neurologic porphyria
- caused by an AD porphobilinogen (PBG) deaminase deficiency
- PBG and ALA build up and are neurotoxic, cause neurodegeneration, impair glutamate release, and elevate 5-HT levels
- cause abdominal pain, then psych distress, then polyneuropathy along with port wine-colored urine
- precipitated by drugs, alcohol, and starvation
- treat with heme, which inhibits ALA synthase
How are acute neurologic porphyrias treated?
with heme, because it feeds back and inhibits ALA synthase
Iron poisoning
- cell death arises due to peroxidation of membrane lipids
- presents with nausea, vomiting, gastric bleeding, lethargy, and GI obstruction due to scarring
- treat with chelation (IV deferoxamine or oral deferasirox) and dialysis
INR is a normalized form of what other lab value?
PT
Which coagulation test, PT or PTT, is used to follow those on warfarin? Heparin?
- PT is used to follow warfarin
- PTT to follow heparin
When is fresh frozen plasma given? Provide three specific instances/examples.
- to increase coagulation factor levels as is the case in DIC
- patients with cirrhosis
- immediate warfarin reversal
What is in cryoprecipitate?
contains:
- fibrinogen
- FVIII
- FXIII
- vWF
- fibronectin
List five risks of blood transfusions.
- infection transmission (most likely HBV)
- hypocalcemia (citrate is a calcium chelator)
- hyperkalemia (lysed RBCs)
- iron overload and secondary hemochromatosis
- transfusion reaction
What clinical features distinguish Hodgkin lymphoma from NHL?
- most often localized to a single group of nodes
- spreads contiguously and rarely affects the mesenteric nodes
- characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
- has a bimodal age distribution
- associated with EBV
Describe Reed-Sternberg cells.
- markers of Hodgkin lymphoma
- binucleate
- CD15 and CD30 positive
- of B cell origin
What is Primary central nervous system lymphoma?
- a CNS lymphoma considered to be an AIDS-defining illness
- presents with confusion, memory loss, and seizures as well as a mass lesion on MRI
- need to distinguish this mass from toxoplasmosis via CSF analysis
What is Pseudo-Pelger-Huet anomaly?
the presence of neutrophils with bi-lobed nuclei following chemotherapy
With which hematologic neoplasia is each of the following associated with and which gene is affected by each:
- t(8;14)
- t(9;22)
- t(11;14)
- t(14;18)
- t (15;17)
- 8;14: c-myc activation of Burkitt lymphoma
- 9;22: BCR-ABL fusion protein of CML or Ph+ ALL
- 11;14: cyclinD1 activation of mantle cell lymphoma
- 14;18: bcl-2 activation of follicular lymphoma
- 15;17: interruption RAR-a receptor gene of associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia
What is thrombomodulin? Describe the downstream effects.
- a protein that changes the enzymatic activity of FIIa such that it activates Protein C
- Protein S further activates Protein C, which then inactivates FVa and FVIIIa
Describe the mechanism, clinical uses, test for monitoring, and adverse effects of heparin. How is it reversed?
- it functions by enhancing the activity of antithrombin III, which cleaves FIIa and FXa
- works well for immediate anticoagulation and can be used during pregnancy because it does not cross the placenta
- monitored via PTT
- adverse effects include heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, osteoporosis, bleeding
- protamine sulfate is the antidote, it is positively charged and binds negatively charged heparin
What is the antidote for heparin therapy? How does it function?
protamine sulfate is a positive molecule that binds the negatively charged heparin molecules
List the three important LMWH-like drugs. How do they compare to heparin?
- includes:
- -> enoxaparin
- -> dalteparin
- -> fondaparinux
- they have greater selectivity for Xa, better bioavailability, longer half lives, and don’t require monitoring
- however they are not easily reversible
Enoxaparin
- a low-molecular weight heparin
- greater selectivity for Xa, better bioavailability, longer half lives, and don’t require monitoring
- however not easily reversible
Dalteparin
- a low-molecular weight heparin
- greater selectivity for Xa, better bioavailability, longer half lives, and don’t require monitoring
- however not easily reversible
Fondaparinux
- a drug that functions as a low-molecular weight heparin
- greater selectivity for Xa, better bioavailability, longer half lives, and don’t require monitoring
- however not easily reversible
Bivalirudin
- a direct thrombin inhibitor
- can be used in cases of heparin-induce thrombocytopenia and does not require monitoring
- may cause bleeding but there are no specific reversal agents
Describe the mechanism, clinical uses, test for monitoring, adverse effects, and reversal mechanism of warfarin. How is it reversed?
- it blocks the vitamin K epoxide reductase, indirectly inhibiting the vitamin K dependent coagulation proteins, thereby affecting the extrinsic pathway
- monitored using PT
- used for chronic anticoagulation and not in pregnant women
- may cause bleeding, skin/tissue necrosis, or have teratogenic effects
- reverse using vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma
Which can be used during pregnancy, heparin or warfarin?
heparin
What is heparin bridging? Why is it used?
heparin is frequently used when starting warfarin because it serves as an immediate anticoagulant during the initial period when warfarin induces a hyper coagulable state
What is warfarin skin necrosis?
- a side effect of warfarin seen when heparin bridging is not used
- Proteins C and S have shorter half lives than the other vitamin-K dependent coagulation proteins so warfarin actually induces an initial hyper-coagulable state
- due to this state, small vessel microthrombi cause skin necrosis
Compare heparin to warfarin.
- heparin is larger and therefore only given parenterally while warfarin is smaller and given orally
- heparin acts in the blood on antithrombin III while warfarin acts in the liver on vitamin K epoxide reductase
- heparin acts immediately while warfarin is limited by the half-lives of normal clotting factors
- heparin is easier to reverse with protamine sulfate than warfarin with fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K
- heparin is monitored using PTT while warfarin is monitored using PT
- heparin, unlike warfarin, is safe during pregnancy
Mucocutaneous bleeding is a sign of what kind of hemostasis disorder? Hemarthrosis and hematomas are signs of what kind of hemostasis disorder?
- mucocutaneous bleeding is indicative of a primary hemostasis disorder (platelet abnormalities)
- hemarthrosis and hematomas are indicative of secondary hemostasis disorders (coagulation abnormalities)
How does mucocutaneous bleeding associated with a primary hemostasis disorder manifest?
mucosal involvement leads to - epistaxis - hemoptysis - GI bleeding - hematuria - menorrhagia - intracranial bleeding skin involvement leads to - petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis
Thrombocytopenia most often becomes symptomatic when it reaches what degree?
fewer than 50K platelets