RBC Morphology Flashcards
1
Q
Erythropoiesis
A
Production of RBCs
2
Q
Erythropoiesis
Where is Happens
A
Occurs in the bone marrow with aid of erythropoietin
* stored in kidneys
3
Q
Erythropoiesis
Cellular Changes
A
- Cytoplasm size decreases
- Nucleus size decreases
- Chromatin clumps
- Basophilic –> Eosinophilic
4
Q
RBC Cell Stages
(5)
A
- Rubriblast
- Prorubricyte
- Rubricyte
- Metarubricyte
- Reticulocyte
5
Q
Reticulocyte
A
- Cytoplasm stains bluish-buff (ribosomes)
- No central pallor
- Only 50% will carry oxygen
6
Q
Cat RBC
A
- 90 day lifespan
- Round shape
- Little to no central pallor
- Smaller than dogs
7
Q
Dog RBC
A
- 100-110 day lifespan
- Biconcave shape (discocyte)
- Larger than cats
8
Q
Anisocytosis
A
- Abnormal variation in RBC size
- Slight, Moderate, or Marked
9
Q
Polychromasia
A
- Variation in cell colors
- Immature RBC stains blue
10
Q
Howell-Jolly Bodies
A
- Nuclear remnant material inside RBC
- Sign of regeneration
- If no reticulocytes seen - sign of macrophage dysfunction (spleen supposed to filter out)
11
Q
A
Howell-Jolly Bodies
12
Q
Nucleated RBC
A
- Counted as WBC on cell counter
- May be seen in regeneration, CHF, IMHA, lead poisoning, hemangiosarcoma, liver disease
13
Q
Poikilocytosis
A
- Abnormally shaped RBCs
- Exact shape should be used for specific diseases
- Don’t report on lab forms
14
Q
Leptocytes
A
- Large cells with thin membrane and fold easily
- Target cells - codocytes
- Barr cells - knizocytes
- Sign of liver disease
- Report as either target or barr cells
15
Q
A
Barr Cell - Knizocytes
16
Q
Acanthocytes
A
- Multiple, irregular, thorny projections
- Seen with hemolytic anemia, liver disease, and hemangiosarcoma
- Typically see with DIC
17
Q
A
Acanthocytes
18
Q
Spherocytes
A
- Lack central pallor
- Formed by macrophages partially eating antibody-coating on cell
- Easier to recognize in dogs
- Seen only in IMHA
- Quantitate with a percentage
19
Q
A
Spherocytes
20
Q
Heinz Bodies
A
- Oxidation and denaturation of hemoglobin in RBC
- Most common in cats
- Causes: ingestion of onions, acetaminophen, drugs
- Quantitate with a percentage
21
Q
A
Heinz Bodies
22
Q
Echinocytes
A
- Multiple, small evenly distributed projections
- Common cause due to crenation
- Sign of renal disease
23
Q
A
Echinocytes
24
Q
Schistocytes
A
- Fragments of RBCs
- RBC sheared from intravascular trauma
- Seen in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Quantitate with a percentage
25
Q
A
Schistocytes
26
Q
Signs of Regeneration
A
- Nucleated RBCs
- Anisocytosis
- Polychromasia
- HJB
27
Q
Rouleaux
A
- Stacked RBCs
- Common in cats
- Will separate with saline
28
Q
Rouleaux Cause
A
- Increases with increased globulin concentation (inflammation)
- Artifact with older blood before smear or if refrigerated
29
Q
Agglutination
A
- Clumping of cells
- Will not separate with saline
- Seen in cases of autoimmune disease
- Form due to excess antibodies on cell surface
30
Q
Keratocytes
A
- Blister cells
- Oxidative injury to RBC
- Intravascular trauma
- Liver disease
31
Q
A
Keratocyte
32
Q
Eccentrocyte
A
- Hemoglobin concentrated to one side of the cell
- Oxidative injury of RBC
- Dog: zinc or onion toxicity
- Cat: Tylenol, lymphoma, diabetes, hyperthyroid
33
Q
A
Eccentrocyte
34
Q
Basophilic Stippling
A
- Small, dark basophilic granules scattered within RBC
- Lead poisoning (dogs), regenerative anemia, bone marrow disorders
35
Q
Dacrocyte
A
- Teardrop shaped RBC
- May represent fragmentation
- Artifact if tails pointing same direction
36
Q
Metarubricyte
A
- Will need to correct WBC for these
- Called NRBCs in circulation
37
Q
Stomatocyte
A
- Coffee bean look
- Cell folded
- Usually seen with hypochromasia
