RBC forms and associated pathology

Question 1

Basophilic stippling

Answer 1

Lead poisoning

Question 2

Degmacyte

Answer 2

aka bite cell

G6PD deficiency (also alpha thal, and anything else that causes structural changes in or damage to hemoglobin)

Question 3

Elliptocyte

Answer 3

Hereditary elliptocytosis

Question 4

Macro-ovalocyte

Answer 4

Megaloblastic anemia, marrow failure

Question 5

Ringed sideroblast

Answer 5

Sideroblastic anemia (excess iron in mitochondria)

Question 6

Acanthocyte

Answer 6

aka spur cell

Liver dz, abetalipoproteinemia

Question 7

Schistocyte

Answer 7

aka helmet cell

DIC, TTP/HUS, HELLP syndrome, mechanical hemolysis

Question 8

Sickled RBC

Answer 8

Sickle cell anemia

**sickling gets worse with deoxygenation, dehydration, high altitude

Question 9

Spherocyte

Answer 9

Hereditary spherocytosis, drug/infxn-induced hemolytic anemia

Question 10

Dacrocyte

Answer 10

aka teardrop cell

Bone marrow infiltration (eg myelofibrosis - RBCs are being squeezed out of marrow)

Question 11

Target cell

Answer 11

HbC disease
Asplenia
Liver dz
Thalassemia

(HALT)