Red Cells Disease Flashcards
Red Blood Cell Characteristics:
- Lifespan
- Nucleus?
- Shape
- Functions (5)
- Lifespan: 120 days
- No nucleus
- Shape: bi-concave disc
- Functions:
1. Carry Hb and oxygen for tissue metabolism
2. Maintain osmotic equilibrium
3. Maintain Hb in a reduced (Ferrous state)
- Generate energy as ATP by anaerobic glycolytic pathway
- Generate reducing power (NADH or NADPH)
Type of RBC defects (3)
- Membrane
- Enzyme biochemical pathways
- Hb structure
Characteristics of Spherocytosis (RBC membrane defect)
- Spherical RBC
- Genetic defect (inherited) due to mutation
- Cytoskeleton abnormality, structural protein cannot maintain shape
- In a dilute environment, will absorb lots of fluid and burst
- Hence, hemolytic anemia with genetic basis
G6PD and RBC enzyme pathway defect
- G6PD: cannot convert glucose-6-phosphate into 6-P-gluconate
- No NADPH produced from this conversion
- NADPH is used to maintain a supply of glutathione (in a reduced state)
- Glutathione to react with free radicals
- Decrease oxidative stress
- Sex-linked recessive disease
- G6PD is the only pathway that RBC can get reduced glutathione
- Prevent build up of reactive oxygen series
Hb structure defect
- At birth: two alpha and two gamma chains (no beta)
- Two gamma chains switch to two beta chains roughly 3-6 months after birth
- Beta chain problems mean this switch isn’t performed
- Hence, beta chain thalessemia only comes into effects after birth
- Alpha chain thalessemia affects the fetus in utero (if serious)
- because fetus should already have alpha chains during development
WBC 5 part differentials
Phagocytes:
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Monocytes
- Lymphocytes (immunocyte)
Plasma cells
- Prominent Golgi zone
- MGG stain, stains blue
- Blue ish due to RNA
- Eccentric nucleus (nucleus on one side)
- Found in bone marrow, accounts for less than 2%
Neutrophils
- Dense nucleus
- 2-5 lobes
- Seen after inflammatory response against BACTERIAL infection
Eosinophils
- Coarse, deep red staining granules
- Allergy
- PARASITIC infection
Basophils
- Dark cytoplasmic granules overlie the nucleus
- Contain heparin and histamine
- Become tissue mast cells
- Lympho-proliferative and myeloproliferative disease
If the levels of this WBC increases, need to first rule out blood cancers.
What is this type of WBC?
Basophils
What type of WBCs are not included in the 5 part differentials?
Plasma cells
Level of lymphocytes in peripheral blood
- T lymphocytes vs B lymphocytes
- CD4 vs CD8
T lymphocytes > B lymphocytes
- T: 60-70%, cellular immunity (helper and cytotoxic)
- B: 20%, humoral immunity, develop into plasma cells which secretes antibodies/immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgE, IgM, IgD)
CD4 > CD8
- CD4: helper cells
- CD8: cytotoxic cells
**Decreased CD4 cells in HIV patient, because HIV virus kills these cells
Normal range: 500 - 1,500
Drop below 200 considered AIDS
Platelets
Produced by cytoplasmic fragmentation of megakaryocytes in bone marrow
Plasma vs Serum
Plasma contains fibrinogen whereas serum doesn’t
