RBC Morphology Flashcards
what morphology of RBCs looks like a ‘roll of coins’
rouleau
what is the significance of seeing rouleau formation
seen with hyperglobulinemia and/ or hyperfibrinogenemia
in what species is rouleau formation typically seen
horses
what are the main causes of rouleau formation
inflammation
dehydration
what is another name for normocytes
discocytes
true or false:
discocytes are normal cells
true
what are nucleated RBCs
rubricytes
what is the reason for seeing rubricytosis
early or inappropriate release from hemic tissue
in which type of anemia is it appropriate to see rubricytosis
regenerative – hypoxia and blood loss stimulate EPO
in which type of anemia is rubricytosis inappropriate to see
non-regenerative or an animal without anemia
if a dog is not anemic but there are rubricytes on cytology, what should be on your rule-out lists
marrow damage
lead poisoning
extramedullary hematopoiesis, splenic contraction, splenectomy
what does an increase of EPO lead to
appropriate release of nucleated RBC / rubricytes
in what species is central pallor of RBCs often commonly seen
dogs
in what cases would you expect to see increased palor in a dog’s RBCs
hypochromasia / decreased MCHC
what cell type will appear with no central pallor on a dog cytology
spherocytes
what are the classic signs for hypochromic erythrocytes
Fe deficiency
low MCV
low MCHC
low MCH
what cause the formation of hypochromic erythrocytes
defective Hgb synthesis
when is it common to see polychromatophilic erythrocytes
regenerative anemias due to accelerated erythropoiesis
what type of cell forms due to incomplete maturation or skipped cell division
macrocyte
what is the significance of macrocytosis
increased erythropoiesis leading to release of larger immature cells
what dog breed tends to have macrocytosis as a commonality in the presence of anemia
poodles
poodle dyscrasia
what cell formation is commonly seen because of increased cell divisions during developement
microcytes
what is the significance of seeing microcytes (causes)
Fe deficiency / blood loss
hepatic insufficiency (portosystemic shunts)
breed variations
what is the name for cells that are variable and irregular in shape
poikilocytes
what cell type has regularly spaced membrane projections and often called a burr cell or crenated erythrocyte
echinocyte
what can cause the formation of an echinocyte
membrane changes due to pH changes
how could an echinocyte form on a slide
drying artifact
which cell type has 1-20 irregularly spaced membrane projections with the main core of the cell still in a spheriod formation
acanthocyte
what is the significance of having acanthocytes on a cytology
canine hemangiosarcoma
hepatic & renal disorders
abnormal lipid content
how do acanthocytes form
RBC trauma or excess membrane lipid
what type of cell has central pallor focus of Hgb surrounded by a ring of pallor creating a hat-like effect
codocyte
how do codocytes form
excess membrane relative to amount of Hgb
what is the significance of codocytosis
regenerative anemias with Fe deficiency and liver diseases
if there is a widespread presence of codocytosis, what is often times the issue
liver disease
which cell type is spheroid, round and globoid in shape
spherocyte
which cell type is spheroid, round and globoid in shape
spherocyte
what are some defining characteristics of spheroid cells
decreased diameter and lacks central pallor
how are spherocytes formed
removal of membrane or defective membrane
what are some ways in which spherocytosis is triggered
immune-mediated
fragmentation
hereditary
what organ is often times associated with spherocytosis
spleen
what type of cell is a triangular, comma shaped or round RBC fragment
schizocyte
how do schizocytes form
intravascular RBC trauma
what can cause schizocytes to appear
microangiopathy
(intravascular coagulation / DIC or vasculitis)
which cell type is a notched cell or cell with 1 or 2 horn-like projections
keratocyte
how do keratocytes form
intravascular RBC trauma
what 2 types of abnormal erythrocyte shapes can present with DIC
keratocytes and schizocyte
which type of cell is acquired
elliptocytosis
when is it common to see ellipotcytosis
myelofibrosis
Fe deficiency anemia
hepatic lipidosis
in what type of animals is it common to see elliptocytes
camelids
what type of cell forms due to oxidative damage to RBC membrane and Hgb forming a hemi-ghost cell
eccentrocyte
what is the significance of eccentrocytosis
overwhelming exposure to oxidants
what type of cell is spheroidal with condensed Hbg
pyknocyte
why would you see a pyknocyte on a cytology
overwhelming exposure to oxidants
what 2 cell types would you see with exposure to overwhelming oxidants
eccentrocytes and pyknocytes
what cellular inclusion forms due to oxidation of Hbg and oxidants
heinz bodies
which type of cellular inclusion is the nuclear remnant left behind after mitosis of nRBCs
Howell-Jolly bodies
what is the significance of finding Howell-Jolly bodies
increased erythropoiesis
decreased spleen function
common in cats
what cellular inclusion can form due to ribosomal RNA not being degraded
basophilic stippling
what are 2 things can cause basophilic stippling
regenerative anemia
canine lead poisoning
when is it common to find most of these cell abnormalities
in the presence of anemias
true or false:
once erythroid hyperplasia establishes, degree of RBC changes will diminish
true
how do you tell the difference between Howell-Jolly bodies and Anaplasma marginale
marginal bodies will appear in the first few days of anemia and remain in the marginal border of the cell
what type of parasite will cause signet rings within a cell
cytauxzoon felis
which erythrocyte parasite will appear as a comma in a horse cell
theileria
what is the shape of theileria in cow
chains
which erythrocyte parasite will grow on the cell
mycoplasma haemocanis
