Lab Investigations of White Cell Disorders Flashcards
What is a Haemocytometer Neubauer Chamber used for?
Haemocytometer Neubauer Chamber was used to count cells in the past
How is a Haemocytometer Neubauer Chamber used to count no. of cells?
Put blood film on cover glass mounting support and count
Would count no. of squares and multiply it out to get cell no.
What is the modern day technique for counting WBCs?
Nowadays more automation techniques are used e.g. ADVIA
How do modern methods distinguish between cells?
Results obtained are complicated dot plots distinguishing samples based on size and granules
What blood cells are we able to identify nowadays?
We identify:
- Haemoglobin
- White cell
- Platelets
- Neutrophils count
Describe the normal Hb levels expected of a FBC
Haemoglobin (Hb)
Normal Male: 130 - 180 g/L
Normal Female 120 – 160 g/L (lower due to menstruation)
What is the purpose of a full blood count?
need to know normal values to compare to
Once we’ve obtained abnormal Hb results from FBC how can we identify the problem?
Once we’ve identified Hb value we differentiate using MCV (micro/macrocytic)
What is a normal WBC count?
Normal Adult 4.0 - 11.0 x 109 / L
Outline a normal platelet count of an adult
Platelet Count Normal Adult 150 - 400 x 109 / L (Plt)
How many types of WBCs are there?
There are the 5 major groups of WBCs - their subtotals should add up to total WBC count
Outline the normal ranges of the 5 major WBCs
> Normal Range x 109 / L Adult
Neutrophils 3.5 x 109 / L 2.0 - 7.5 (most abundant) Lymphocytes 1.7 x 109 / L 1.5 - 4.0 Monocytes 0.3 x 109 / L 0.2 - 0.8 Eosinophils 0.2 x 109 / L 0.04 - 0.4 Basophils 0.0 x 109 / L <0.01 - 0.1
What is the significance of neutrophils?
Neutrophils are very important in bacterial infections → belong to myeloid pathway
What is neutrophilia?
Neutrophilia - high neutrophil count
What is neutropenia?
Neutropenia - low neutrophil count
What is a high neutrophilia indicative of?
A higher neutrophilia is most likely a haematological cancer not bacterial infection
What is the significance of lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are next most common WBC and they belong to lymphoid pathway (mostly raised in viral infection)
What is lymphocytosis?
Lymphocytosis - high lymphocyte count
What is lymphocytopenia?
Lymphocytopenia - low lymphocyte count
Which WBCs would we not expect a high frequency?
Monocytes, eosinophils and basophils are minority populations in the blood.
What does a high basophil count tell us?
Basophils are rarely seen in the blood, so high no.’s indicate a problem (most commonly haematological malignancy) - nothing to do with infections
Describe the significance of eosinophils
Eosinophils important in parasitic infections - test stool sample to confirm
When is the eosinophil count elevated?
Also important in allergic reactions (ie. skin rash, asthma etc.) increase eosinophil count
Also elevated in some autoimmune diseases
What is the significance of monocytes?
Monocytes involved in TB and raised in haematological malignancies
How is a blood film observed in the lab?
blood film seen using light microscope
What can we see from a WBC blood film?
Looking at the tail end we can identify different cell populations
Describe the normal arrangement of neutrophils on a blood film
Have 3-5 lobes and granules
Larger than RBCs
Cytoplasm appears pinkier toned
How can we find out if a RBC is regularly sized just by looking at a blood film?
To identify a regular RBC size, compare to lymphocytes (neutrophils are larger than lymphocytes)
Outline normal morphology of lymphocytes on a blood film
Similar size to RBC, and contain hardly any cytoplasm (bluer) mostly occupied by large, dense nucleus - no granules
Describe the difference between T and B lymphocytes on a blood film
Can’t distinguish between T or B lymphocytes from a blood film
What is the main role of lymphocytes?
Major role is in Adaptive Immune Response
How do lymphocytes respond to viral attack?
Differentiation between self and non-self e.g. Viral attack
- B Lymphocytes produce antibodies to destroy that
specific virus
- Memory cells