White Blood Cell Conditions Flashcards
Describe the appearance of neutrophils and their function
2-3 lobes of the nuclei, light staining with lobed nucleus. Involved in responding to BACTERIAL infections
Describe the appearance of eosinophils and their function
Have a red brick colour staining with two nuclei and are involved in responding to PARASITES (e.g. helminths)
Describe the appearance of basophils and their function
Rarely seen in blood film but cytoplasm is highly granular and is involved in allergies as it’s the equivalent to mast cels in the blood
Describe the appearance of monocytes and their function
Largest of the granulocytes with a kidney-bean shaped nucleus, and matures in tissues to become a macrophage
Describe the appearance of lymphocytes and their function
Large nucleus: cytoplasm ratio (very little cytoplasm visible) and involved in adaptive immunity
What are macrocytes and what may cause this?
Red cells with an increased MCV, due to liver disease or B12/folate deficiency
What are target cells and what may cause this?
Red cells with a ‘target-like’ appearance due to liver disease, haemoglobinopathies or iron deficiency
What are pencil cells and what may cause this?
These are where the red cells appear thin and pencil-shaped due to iron-deficiency
What are ecchinocytes and what may cause this?
These are star-shaped red cells due to liver disease
What are microcytes and what may cause this?
Red cells with a reduced MCV due to iron-deficiency or thalassaemia
What are spherocytes and what may cause this?
Spherical red cells due to hereditary spherocytosis, or autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.
What may the presence of red cell fragments in a blood film represent?
Diffuse intravascular coagulation (DIC) or cardiac prosthetic valves
What are elliptocytes and what may cause this?
Thicker versions of pencil cells present due to hereditary elliptocytosis
What are tear drop poikilocytes are what may cause this?
These are red cells that are tear-drop shaped due to myelofibrosis
What are Howell-Jolly bodies and what may cause this?
Remnant of DNA in red cell due to hyposplenism or post-splenectomy
How would a malarial parasite present in a blood film?
Look’s similar to an engagement ring within the red blood cells.
What is the mode of inheritance for hereditary ellpitocytosis?
Autosomal dominant
What is hereditary elliptocytosis?
Where there is a defect leading to failure of spectrum heterodimers to self-associate into heterotetramers so the normal bi-concave disc doesn’t form.
How does the genetic profile affect the severity of hereditary elliptocytosis?
Homozygous (or doubly heterozygous) have severe haemolytic anaemia, whereas those who are heterozygous tend to have no ill effects until discovered under routine examination
What is immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)?
Usually appears as spontaneous skin purport and mucosal bleeding that tends to affect women 15-50 and bone marrow has increased levels of megakaryocytes.