Lab 5 - RBC Flashcards
Name the parameters of RBC’s that are the most important to check during pathological changes
RBC count and haemoglobin conc and/or function are the two most important parameters to check when looking for characteristics of pathological processes.
The rbc count and hb function/concentration parameters can check for which abnormalities?
evaluate polycythemias and anemias caused by different external and internal causative agent.
Which method is used for the Haemoglobin (Hgb) Measurement
Spectrophotometric Method (Drabkin-method)
What is the method and mechanism of the Drabkin method/spectophotometric method
Put 20microliter of whole blood sample to 5 ml reagent (K3Fe(SCN)6 hemolyses RBCs and forms Fe3+, from Fe2+ in the haemoglobin molecule, and this is further oxidised by KCN to cianidmethaemoglobin), mix it and measure the amount of orange coloured end product by spectrophotometer at 540 nm wave length.
How do we find the result from a spectophotometer reading
Using standard solutions or a standard curve.
(Esample/Estandard) * standard conc = result (in the unit of
measurement of the standard)
E= extinction
Hgb is bound and free and rbc form -
How are these measured during the spectophotometric method?
The measured Hgb concentration is a sum of Hgb molecules from the haemolysed RBCs (haemolysed by the reagent, this is almost 100% of the whole) and the very small amount of free Hgb content of the plasma, which is usually bound to a carrier protein (haptoglobin). Therefore there is no notable increase in Hgb concentration in case of intravascular haemolysis!!
Oxigen binding capacity of Hgb is ↑ increased by:
- decreased ↓ 2,3 DPG level in RBCs,
- decreased ↓ pCO2 level in the blood (for example in case of respiratory alkalosis), -increased ↑ pH of the blood (alkalosis, metabolic or respiratory),
- decreased ↓ temperature of blood (hypothermia!).
Oxygen binding capacity of Hgb is ↓ decreased by
- increased ↑ 2,3 DPG level in RBCs,
- increased ↑ pCO2 level in the blood (for example in case of respiratory acidosis), -decreased ↓ pH of the blood (acidosis, respiratory or metabolic),
- increased ↑ temperature of blood (hyperthermia!).
Oxygen saturation, definition and normal range arterial and venous
(SAT %) is the percentage (proportion) of oxygenated Hgb molecules compared to the whole amount of Hgb molecules in one unit of blood. Normal values in arterial blood: 95-99 %, in venous blood: 80-90 %
Toxins decr hgb oxygen affinity: CO
Color of blood: cherry red
Name/function: carboxyhemoglobin, hugher affinity so slow release - gradual suffocation
Toxins decr hgb oxygen affinity: Free radicals
Color of blood: dark brown
Name/function: methemoglobin. Due to oxidative damage fe2+ into fe3+, NADH can reverse it. Normal to have some in blood
Toxins decr hgb oxygen affinity: CN-
Color of blood: cherry red
Name/function: blocks respiration - does nothing to the hgb other than irreversibly binding to it
How can you estimate the RBC count?
If we suspect a normal average RBC volume (MCV, see later):
(Ht L/L / 5) x 100 = RBC count x 1012/L
Describe the mechanism of the automatic cell counters
Counting red blood cells is based upon the electric impendance of the particles. Impedance is in correlation with the size.
The impedance change(aka electrical resistance) when the rbc are sent through an aperture, this is measured and the impedance is measeured
Histogram: Axis ‘x’ shows the size (fl), axis ‘y’ shows the number
Aggregates are not counted
List the derivative parameters of RBC, and what are needed to calculate them
MCHC, MCH, MCV, RDW give info about size and color(influenced by hgb)
Indices: Ht, rbc count and hg are needed to calc these
Mch: definition, calculation and normal value - terms for abnormal high and low MCH
indicates average Hb content of RBCs.
Decreased ↓ MCH - hypochromasia Increased ↑ MCH - hyperchromasia
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) indicates what, calculation, normail value
indicates the average size of the RBCs. (macro-↑, normo-↔, microcytic ↓ RBCs)
Mean Corpuscular Volume diff spp
There is a great heterogenity in MCV among species, cats, horses have smaller RBCs, than other animals. Young RBCs are bigger. New born animals have large, adults have smaller RBCs. Japanese Aktia has small (55-65 fl) some poodles have very large (75-80 fl) RBC.
Some causes of microcytosis:
All linked to decr hgb!
chronic blood loss(iron def)
iron, copper, pyridoxine (vitamine B6) deficieny(decr cu cause iron def, B6 cofactor in porph ring synth needed in hgb synth)
portosystemic shunt (abnormal vein cause some of the blood to bypass liver during embryonic life - cause abnormal liver metabolism)
liver failure
akitas
Some causes of macrocytosis
(mostly regenerative anaemias)
erytheoblastic leukemia
vitamin B12, folic acid, cobalt deficiency - need B12 in nucleotide metabolism so it influence the maturation, get stuck in young form
erythroleukaemias - regen anemias, loads of young/big cells. Shift to young rbc eg. acute Blood loss
poodle macrocytosis
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) indicates what, calculation
MCHC indicates the average concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocytes (Hb concentration).
(hyper-↑, normo-↔, hypochromic ↓ RBCs)
(Hgb (g/l) / PVC) = MCH (pg) / MCV (fl) x 1000 = MCHC (g/l)
Decreased MCHC - hypochromasia reasons,
When MCV and MCH are low (eg.:chronic liver failure) MCHC can be normal, however there is anemic state.
newborn animals (decr hgb) regenerative anaemias iron deficiency anaemia chronic blood loss(iron def) iron, copper, pyridoxine (vitamine B6) deficieny(decr cu cause iron def, B6 cofactor in porph ring synth needed in hgb synth)
Increased MCHC - hyperchromasia
erythroleukemia (polycythaemia absoluta vera)
vitamin B12, folic acid, cobalt deficiency
immunhemolytic anaemia (inflamm disease, igs on rbc -> macroph eats bites off part -> spherocytosis) imp hemolysis example!
lead poisoning
splenectomy
regenerative anaemias: morphology, staining, general causes
Typical regen anemias: macrocytic, hypohromic: MCV⬆️, MCHC⬇️
(Reticulocytes⬆️)
Acute blood loss, hemolysis
Typical changes in non regenerative anaemias
normocytic, normochromic: MCV normal, MCHC normal, (bm hypoplasia, secondary bm supression)
normal or decreased MCH (iron deficiency)
Red Cell Distribution width (RDW), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW)
A ratio that is correlated with the range of the average size of the RBCs and platelets.
Rdw
width is the line between the two points (P1-P2) where horizontal line crosses the two side lines of the curve. We express RDW in the percentage of P1-P2 width compared to the distribution of all red blood cells (from 0 till approx. 100 fl) as 100%
Rdw normal values
RDW dog: 12-16% cat: 14-18%
PDW dog: 6-8 %, cat: 7-12%
Normally the histogram is symmetric Gauss-curve with slight right shift.
Short RDW means non regenerative processes. Large RDW means regenerative process.