Reticulocytes Flashcards
Definition of Reticulocyte
Immature, non-nucleated RBC with >2 blue-stained granulofilamentous materials (reticulum) after supravital staining
Normal maturation time for reticulocytes in blood
1 day
Normal production of reticulocytes
50 x 10^9/L/day
Purpose of Reticulocyte Count
Effective assessment of RBC production by bone marrow; measure of effective erythropoiesis
Normal reference range for reticulocyte count in adults
0.5 to 1.5%
Normal reference range for reticulocyte count in newborns
1.8 to 5.8% (by 1-2 weeks of age, same as adults)
Increased reticulocyte count
First sign of accelerated erythropoiesis; observed in hemolytic anemias, iron deficiency anemia with therapy, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, acute and chronic blood loss
Decreased reticulocyte count
Observed in aplastic anemia and in conditions where bone marrow is not producing RBCs
Conditions associated with increased reticulocyte count
Hemolytic anemias, iron deficiency anemia with therapy, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, acute and chronic blood loss
Conditions associated with decreased reticulocyte count
Aplastic anemia, conditions with non-functioning bone marrow
Supravital Stains used for reticulocyte counting
New Methylene Blue, Brilliant Cresyl Blue
Purpose of Miller disk
Calibrated disk placed in the ocular of the microscope
Large Square (A) on Miller disk
Used for counting reticulocytes
Small Square (B) on Miller disk
Used for counting RBCs
Minimum number of cells to count for accurate reticulocyte count
112
Method for reticulocyte count
Routine Light Microscope Method, Calibrated Miller Disk Method, Flow Cytometry
Incubation time for Routine Light Microscope Method
3 to 10 minutes
Amount of blood and supravital stain in Routine Light Microscope Method
2 to 3 drops or around 50 μL each
Reticulocyte counting in Routine Light Microscope Method
Count 1000 RBCs under oil immersion (1000x magnification); reticulocytes counted as both RBC and reticulocyte
Calculation for Routine Light Microscope Method
Retic (%) = No. of Retics observed x 100 / 1,000 RBCs observed
Minimum RBCs to count in small square (B) for Calibrated Miller Disk Method
112 RBCs
Counting rule for reticulocytes in Square B (Calibrated Miller Disk Method)
A reticulocyte in square B is counted as both an erythrocyte and a reticulocyte
Total RBCs counted in Calibrated Miller Disk Method
1,008 RBCs (theoretically)