WBCs Flashcards
Nucleated cells that function in body defense
WBCs (White Blood Cells)
Reference range for adult WBC count
4.5 to 11.0 X 10⁹/L (SI) [or 4,500 to 11,000 /mm³ (conventional)]
Reference range for newborn WBC count
13.5 to 38.0 X 10⁹/L (SI) [or 13,500 to 38,000 /mm³ (conventional)]
Predominant WBC in adults
Neutrophils
Predominant WBC in children <4 years
Lymphocytes
Most valuable and reliable criterion for WBC maturity
Nuclear chromatic pattern
Granulocytes classification
Basophils, Eosinophils, Neutrophils
Agranulocytes classification
Lymphocytes, Monocytes
Polymorphonuclear WBCs
Basophils, Eosinophils, Neutrophils
Mononuclear WBCs
Lymphocytes, Monocytes
Phagocytic WBCs
Basophils, Eosinophils, Neutrophils, Monocytes
Immunocytes classification
Lymphocytes (B and T cells)
Granulocytic series maturation
Nuclear chromatin condenses, nucleoli disappear, cytoplasm becomes less basophilic, specific granules appear
Granulocytic series nuclear changes during maturation
Nucleus indents and becomes segmented, overall cell size decreases (except promyelocyte)
Size and characteristics of myeloblasts
14 to 20 μm, earliest recognizable granulocytic precursor, 0 to 3% of nucleated cells in bone marrow
Type I myeloblasts characteristics
Nucleus occupies most of the cell, very little cytoplasm, slightly basophilic cytoplasm, fine nuclear chromatin, 2-4 visible nucleoli, no visible granules
Type II myeloblasts characteristics
Dispersed primary (azurophilic) granules in cytoplasm (≤20 granules per cell)
Type III myeloblasts characteristics
Darker chromatin, more purple cytoplasm, >20 granules that do not obscure the nucleus, rare in normal bone marrow, seen in acute myeloid leukemias
Size and characteristics of promyelocyte
16 to 25 μm, 1 to 5% of nucleated cells in bone marrow, larger than myeloblast, round to oval nucleus, often eccentric
Hof in promyelocyte
Hollow in cytoplasm where nucleus lodges, present in normal promyelocytes, absent in malignant promyelocytes of acute promyelocytic leukemia
Cytoplasm characteristics of promyelocyte
Evenly basophilic, filled with primary (azurophilic/nonspecific) granules
Nucleoli in promyelocyte
1 to 3 nucleoli, may be obscured by granules
Synthesis of primary granules begins in which cell?
Promyelocyte (TYPE II MYELOBLAST - BEST ANSWER)
Last stage of granulocyte maturation capable of mitosis
Myelocyte
Synthesis of secondary (specific) granules occurs in which stage?
Myelocyte
Early myelocyte appearance
Patches of grainy pale pink cytoplasm representing secondary granules in Golgi area (Dawn of Neutrophil)
Late myelocyte appearance
Smaller than promyelocytes, nucleus with more heterochromatin, nucleoli difficult to see
Stage after myelocyte
first stage of nuclear indentation
Characteristic appearance of metamyelocyte nucleus
Peanut or kidney bean shape with indentation <1/2 of nuclear width
Synthesis of tertiary granules (gelatinase granules) begins in which stage?
Metamyelocyte
Stage after metamyelocyte
first appearance in peripheral blood
Appearance of band cell nucleus
Elongated, curved, or sausage-shaped with rounded ends
Difference between band cell and segmented neutrophil
Filaments NOT present in band cells
Recommendation for reporting bands in peripheral blood
Include in neutrophil counts, not separate category
Increase in neutrophil level in the blood
Neutrophilia
Conditions associated with neutrophilia
Bacterial infections, appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, colitis, MI, severe hemolysis, trauma, parasites, lithium, chemicals, drugs, myelogenous leukemia, venoms, actinomyces fungi
Cause of physiologic neutrophilia (Pseudoneutrophilia)
Shift of marginated cells to the circulatory pool (exercise, temp changes, nausea, pregnancy, stress)
Decrease in neutrophil level in the blood
Neutropenia
Conditions associated with neutropenia
Overwhelming infections, splenomegaly, hemodialysis, copper deficiency, alcoholism, babies born to hypertensive mothers, chemical toxicity, marrow replacement, nutritional deficiencies, cytotoxic drugs
Extreme neutropenia (Agranulocytosis) neutrophil count
<0.5 x 10^9/L
Drugs associated with agranulocytosis (extreme neutropenia)
Amidopyrine, cephalosporin
Increased level of eosinophils in the blood
Eosinophilia
Conditions associated with eosinophilia
Asthma, hay fever, psoriasis, eczema, scarlet fever, eosinophilic leukemia, parasitic infections
Moderate to severe eosinophilia is most commonly associated with
Helminthic infections (parasitic worms including nematodes, trematodes, cestodes)
Decreased level of eosinophils in the blood
Eosinopenia
Conditions associated with eosinopenia
ACTH administration, autoimmune disorders, steroid therapy, stress, sepsis, acute inflammatory states
Parasitic infection with highest eosinophil count
Trichinosis (T. spiralis)
Increased basophil count in the blood is called
Basophilia
Conditions associated with basophilia
Immediate hypersensitivity reactions, hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, estrogen therapy
Decreased basophil count in the blood is called
Basopenia