Week 1 - Erythrocyte Morphology Flashcards
What blood values are used to detect anemias or erythrocytosis?
HCT or PCV
Anemia classification is based on what factors?
- MCV measures the VOLUME of RBC
* Normocytic
* microcytic (little RBCs)
* macrocytic (large RBC) - MCH & MCHC measures the Hgb in RBCs
* Normochromic
* Hypochromic (little Hbg)
* Hyperchromic (too much Hgb)
What are the main functions of erythrograms? Explain.
- counts mature RBC
* By counting RBC mass in whole blood: HCT, PCV*
* RBC count
* Hgb concentration - counts reticulocytes
* % and absRC to assess for a regeneration by the bone
marrow in response to the anemia; reticulocytes are immature RBC. When there are a large number of reticulocytes, machine calculates how many in sample to determine condition.
HCT and PCV: These have a Difference only ~3%. Should be ~3x Hgb concentration
Case 1
Macrocytic normochromic
AbsRC =
Case 2
elevated HCT = errythrociosis (more RBC than normally in blood).
errythrocytocis = dehydation, breed related (sighthound, HCT ~ mid-60s % is normal), greyhounds, whippet saluki
Case 2 Cont
Case 3
HYPERPROTEINEMIA
What values on bloodwork do we use to evaluate anemia?
How can you accurately determine RBC morphology?
A stained blood film made from blood collected
into an EDTA tube for a CBC is the only way to
accurately determine RBC morphology
* Hematology analyzer can NOT provide this info
What does analyzing RBC morphology allow you to do?
- Allows you to confirm that CBC data
generated by your analyzer is accurate - May help determine the cause of certain
diseases - Helps identify infectious organisms
Zones of a blood smear
image (unable to add at time)
Canine erythrocyte image
What species does this belong to? What type of cells do you see below?
Feline, erythrocyte
What are the differences between canine and feline erythrocytes?
clumping is called Rouleaux
What type of cell is pictured below? What species does it belong to?
Bovine erythrocyte image
What type of cell is pictured below? What species does it belong to?
Equine erythrocyte image
Rouleaux effect is more common in the horse. If you see no rouleaux, examine that horse!!
What are the differences between bovine and equine erythrocytes?
What type of cell is pictured below? What species does it belong to?
Camelid, reticulocyte
What type of cell is pictured below? What species does it belong to?
Avian, reptile, amphibians
large, nucleated, elliptical RBCs.
What process is occurring in the image below? Define this process.
Anisocytosis: Difference in cell size
What are macrocytes? Where/in what situations are they normally found?
Big RBCs
* In presence of polychromasia
* in animals with regenerative anemia
* increase MCV if SIGNIFICANT circulating macrocytes
In what situations can normochromic macrocytes be found? In what situations are they less commonly found?
- Horses regenerative anemia
- Less common in
- FeLV
- Less common in inherited disorders
* Mini & Toy Poodles, Poll Hereford cattle
- Less common in deficiencies: Vit B12
* Giant schnauzer
What type of cell is pictured below? What species does it belong to?
Macrocyte image
Camelid
What are microcytes? Where/in what situations are they normally found?
- Small RBCs
- On CBC is significant #s of cells –> decreased MCV
- probably associated with Iron deficiency; Usually with concomitantly with low MCHC (hypochromasia)
- Vit B6 (Pyridoxine) deficiency
- Portosystemic shunt
- Normal in healthy: Shiba Inus, Akitas
- ~Young animals sometimes have. Is normal up to x weeks.
Difficult to see in blood smears
Color differences in RBCs indicate what?
Color differences may indicate changes in RBCs Hgb content
Define polychromasia
“many colors”
§ Reflects presence of both mature RBCs and reticulocytes
§ Regenerative anemia
§ On CBC, may see decreased MCHC and/or MCH