RBC Variation Flashcards
What is anisocytosis?
Unequal size of erythrocytes
Define normocyte.
Typical RBC size
What are macrocytes?
Cells larger than normal, usually immature cells, sometimes polychromatic
What are microcytes?
Smaller than normal erythrocytes, associated with decreased MCV
What are giantocytes?
RBC > 2X normal size
List in vivo causes of erythrocyte variations.
- Species
- Breed
- Environmental influences
- Pathological conditions
List in vitro causes of erythrocyte variations.
- Problems in analytical methods
- Patient collection, sample, and processing variables
What is poikilocytosis?
Abnormal shape of RBCs, a general term for nondescript variations in shapes
What are acanthocytes?
RBCs with unevenly sized and spaced ‘fingerlike’ blunt projections due to changes in lipid concentrations
What are keratocytes?
Helmet cells or blister cells associated with oxidative injury and iron deficiency
What does a dacrocyte look like?
Teardrop shaped erythrocytes with a single elongated or pointed end
What is a drepanocyte?
Sickle cell, spindle-shaped due to alteration of hemoglobin
What are echinocytes?
RBCs with evenly sized, shaped, and spaced blunt or pointed projections; indicative of renal disease
What is a spherocyte?
Dark-red staining, smaller than average RBCs, round, lacks central pallor, common in IMHA
Define rouleaux formation.
RBCs appear like elongated stacks of coins; presence indicates inflammatory conditions or neoplasia
What is agglutination?
Indiscriminate 3D clumping caused by immunoglobulins bound to RBCs
What is normochromic?
Typical color of RBCs, pinkish-red with central pallor, indicating adequate hemoglobin
What characterizes hypochromic RBCs?
Lacking typical color, increased central pallor, associated with decreased hemoglobin
What is polychromasia?
Varying degrees of bluish-staining of the cytoplasm, indicative of younger cells
What are Heinz bodies?
Protrusions from the surface of RBCs due to oxidative injury that denatures hemoglobin
What is a Howell Jolly body?
Nonprotruding dark-purple inclusion on RBCs, remnants of nuclear chromatin, indicating regeneration
What are intracellular parasites?
Parasites that may be present within RBCs and can be observed on blood smears
What is anaplasmosis?
Intracellular blood parasite affecting cattle and wild ruminants
What is babesiosis?
Protozoal disease affecting cattle, horses, and dogs; characterized by tear-drop shaped intracellular organisms
What does a distemper viral inclusion body look like?
Round to oblong, irregular shape, found on immature RBCs during acute disease phase
What is the significance of microfilaria?
Heartworm found in dogs, cats, and ferrets, appears earthworm-like
What is anemia?
Condition of reduced oxygen carrying capacity of RBCs
What characterizes regenerative anemia?
Increased RBC production with immature RBCs released into peripheral blood
What are the intrinsic causes of hemolytic anemia?
- Abnormal hemoglobin
- Red blood cell enzyme deficiencies
- Membrane abnormalities
What are the extrinsic causes of hemolytic anemia?
- Antibodies
- Toxins
- Parasites
- Chemicals
- Mechanical factors
What does macrocytic hypochromic suggest?
Red bloods cells are abnormally large but contain less hemoglobin resulting in paler color;
Regeneration of RBCs
What does microcytic hypochromic indicate?
Red blood cells are smaller and paler than normal
;Iron deficiency
What is Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)?
An acquired hemolytic disease/autoimmune disease where RBC lifespan is shortened due to autoantibodies against RBCs
