Test 1 Flashcards
What are the major clinical manifestations of Hemochromatosis?
Cirrhosis, DM, arhtritis, cardiomyopathy, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Hemochromatosis & Porphyria
At 10,000 feet, explain hemochromatosis
Innapropriate intestinal absorption of iron d/t decreased hepatic production of Hepcidin
Hemochromatosis & Porphyria
What gene is associated w/ hereditary hemochromatosis?
HFE gene located on HLA-A locus on chromosome 6P
A 20 yo patient presents with classic Hemochromatosis symptoms. What type of the disease does he have?
Non-HFE associated. HFE associated hemochromatosis presents in the 50’s or 60’s.
Where in the GI tract is iron absorbed?
In the duodenum through DMT1 transporters or through the reduction of Fe3+ (ferric) into Fe2+ (ferrous) iron by duodenal cytochrome B (DcytB)
What type of iron molecule is absorbable?
Fe2+, FerrOUS iron
What acts as the regulator of iron traffic in the body?
Hepcidin – its presence decreases iron absorption by binding to ferroportin molecules in basolateral membranes and macrophages
What is the first symptomatic organ in patients w/ Hemochromatosis?
The liver – hepatomegaly, spider angiomas, splenomegaly, ascites are all results of liver damage
What is the best lab value to rule in/out hemochromatosis?
Serum ferritin concentration
What is a porphyria?
A disease in which one or more specific enzymes in the heme synthesis pathway is either inhibited or increased
What is the primary manifestation of a hepatic porphyria?
Neurological deficits
There are 8 enzymes which encode for heme. Where are each found?
1 & 6-8 are located in the mitochondria. #2-5 are in the cytosol of erythroid precursor cells
What are the two types of porphyrias?
Hepatic and erythropoetic, depending on whether the heme intermediate that accumulates arise from the liver or from developing erythrocytes
Are erythropoeitic or hepatic porphyrias more common?
Hepatic! Erythropoetic porphyrias are characterized by elevations of porphyrins in the bone marrow and erythrocytes
Is Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) hepatic or erythropoeitic?
AIP is a hepatic, autosomal dominant condition
Which is the most common porphyria?
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
What are the primary clinical features of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda?
Blistering skin lesions on the backs of hands, forearms, face, legs, feet. Neuro symptoms are absent.
What is the indicated treatment for PCT?
Weekly phlebotomy or (Hydroxy)Chloroquine
What is the primary treatment for an attack of AIP?
Cessation of the offending inciting factor, and IV Hemin.
Name each WBC type
What is the order of erythropoeisis?
Proerythroblast –> Basophilic Erythroblast –> Polychromatophilic Erythroblast –> Orthochromatophilic Erythroblast –> Reticulocyte –> Erythrocyte
As RBCs mature, what happens to their size?
They get smaller as they lose organelles and concentrate only hemoglobin
What are the three stages of megakaryocytosis?
Megakaryoblast –> Promegakaryocyte –> Megakaryocyte
During which step of RBC production does the immature RBC lose its nucleus?
From Orthochromatic erythroblast –> Reticulocyte