Practical 3: Full Blood Counts and Reticulocytes Flashcards
What are reticulocytes
Juvenile red cells which contain remnants of ribosomal RNA
How do we stain for reticulocytes
We use basic dyes which will stain RNA remnants
Brilliant Cresyl Blue
New Methylene Blue
How can we determine the age of a reticulocyte
Determined by the amount of stained precipitate present
What does number of reticulocytes present in peripheral blood reflect?
It reflects erythropoietic activity in the bone marrow
What are the two ways reticulocyte numbers can be reported
% reticulocyte count
Absolute reticulocyte count
How is a reticulocyte count done in the lab
Using flow cytometry
Using dyes such as acridine orange, thioflavin-T, thiazol orange or auramine O
When is the % retic count incoreect?
Its misleading in anaemic patients as its a % of retics in blood so if less blood retic % is wrong
What is the absolute reticulocyte count
The number of reticulocytes present in 1mm3 of blood
How do you determine ARC
(% Reticulocyte/100) X RBC
When will ARC increase in anaemia
(7)
If anaemia is due to:
- thalassaemia
- sideroblastic anaemia
- blood loss
- haemolytic anaemias
- pregnancy
- pernicious anaemia
- iron deficiency anaemia after treatment
When will ARC decrease in anaemia
(7)
When the anaemia is hypoproliferative e.g.
- aplastic anaemia
- exposure to radiation/radiation therapy
- chronic infection
- untreated pernicious anaemia
- megaloblast anaemia
- iron deficiency anaemia
- chemotherapy medications
What is erythrocytosis
An increase in the red cell count
When is erythrocytosis seen
(3)
Dehydration
Smoking
Polycythemia vera
When is leucocytosis seen
(3)
Infection
Inflammation
Leukaemias
What is leucopenia and when is it seen
(4)
A decrease in the WCC
Seen in liver or spleen disorders
Severe infection
Marrow failure
