Reticulocyte Count (F) Flashcards
What is a reticulocyte?
It is the last immature RBC stage
How are reticulocytes formed?
These are formed when the nucleus of the late normoblasts are lost through extrusion
What are the components of reticulocytes?
1) Remnants of cytoplasmic RNA
2) Remnants of organelles
3) Reticulum
What are the organelles which are one of the component of reticulocytes?
1) Mitochondria
2) Ribosomes
True or False
The more mature the reticulocyte is, the greater is the ribosomal content
True
What are the purposes of reticulocyte ct?
1) It is used to assess erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow
2) It is also used to monitor therapeutic measures for anemia
What is the principle of reticulocyte ct?
Whole blood, anticoagulated w/ EDTA, is stained w/ a supravital stain. Any non-nucleated RBC that contains 2 or more particles of blue-stained granulofilamentous mat after new methylene blue staining is defined as reticulocyte
What are the mats needed for reticulocyte ct?
1) Anticoagulated blood
2) BCB
3) Glass slide
4) Microscope
5) Cedarwood oil
6) Tissue paper
7) Test tube
What is the method (or steps) of reticulocyte ct?
1) Mix equal volumes of blood and freshly filtered BCB in a tube
2) Allow the mixture to stand at room temp for 15 - 30 mins
3) Remix the preparation and prepare smears
4) Allow the smears to dry
5) Examine under OIO
6) In an area w/c cells are close together but not touching, ct 1,000 RBCs (include reticulocytes in the RBC ct)
7) Calculate the % reticulocyte ct
What is the formula for reticulocyte ct?
Reticulocyte % = number of reticulocytes X 100 / total RBC counted
Provide an ex of computing reticulocyte ct
R% = 15 X 100 / 1,000 R% = 1.5%
What are the normal values of reticulocyte ct for adults and infants?
1) Adults: 0.5 - 1.5%
2) Infants: 2.0 - 6.0%
What is the meaning of ARC?
Absolute Reticulocyte Count
What is ARC?
It is the actual # of reticulocytes in 1 L or uL of blood
What is the formula for computing ARC?
ARC = retic % X RBC count (X 10^12/L) / 100
Provide an ex of computing ARC
ARC = 2% X (2.20 X 10^12 / L) / 100 ARC = 44 X 10^9/L
What is the normal value for ARC?
20 - 115 X 10^9/L
What is the meaning of CRC?
Corrected Reticulocyte Count
What is the formula for CRC?
CRC % = reticulocyte % X patient Hct (%) / 45
What are the normal values for CRC?
1) Hct = 35% ; CRC = 2 - 3% (mild anemia)
2) Hct = <25% ; CRC = 3 - 5% (moderate anemia)
What are the causes of high reticulocyte ct?
More RBCs are being made in the bone marrow after:
1) Bleeding
2) A move to high altitude or
3) After treatment for anemia
What are the causes of low reticulocyte ct?
Fewer RBCs are being made in the bone marrow due to:
1) Anemia
2) Exposure to radiation
3) Long-term infection
4) Certain medicines that damage the bone marrow
