What causes spherocytes in blood smear?
Spherocytosis is one of the most common inherited hemolytic anemias. It is caused by a defect in the erythrocyte membrane, which leads to an increased permeability for sodium and water, giving the erythrocyte its typical spherical form.
What does the presence of spherocytes mean?
Specialty. Hematology. Spherocytosis is the presence in the blood of spherocytes, i.e erythrocytes (red blood cells) that are sphere-shaped rather than bi-concave disk shaped as normal.
When spherocytes are reported what is observed on the peripheral blood smear?
Spherocytes are round, densely staining red cells that lack central pallor and have a smaller than normal diameter. In stomatocytes, the area of central pallor is elliptical rather than round, giving the cell the appearance of the opening of a mouth (stoma).
What causes Schistocytes in blood smear?
Schistocyte formation occurs as a result of mechanical destruction (fragmentation hemolysis) of a normal red blood cell. This occurs when there is damage to the blood vessel and a clot begins to form. The formation of the fibrin strands in the vessels occurs as part of the clot formation process.
How are spherocytes formed?
Spherocytes are formed when there is loss of part of the red blood cell membrane. This may occur in the setting of immune-mediated hemolysis or congenital red cell membrane defects such as hereditary spherocytosis. Spherocytes are smaller than normal red blood cells and lack central pallor.
When are spherocytes seen?
Examples of conditions in which spherocytes can be seen include hereditary spherocytosis and immune hemolytic anemias (ie, ABO incompatibility). Spherocytes can also form in conditions where there has been a direct physical or chemical injury to the cells.
What causes spherocytes in autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
The loss of membrane causes the red blood cells to become spherocytes. Spherocytes are not as flexible as normal RBCs and will be singled-out for destruction in the red pulp of the spleen as well as other portions of the reticuloendothelial system.
How do spherocytes form?
Formation of spherocytes in circulation occurs due to a partial loss of the red blood cell membrane. This can occur when RBCs are not fully phagocytosed by macrophages during extravascular hemolysis. Cellular content remains the same and this leads to a decrease in the surface to volume ratio and spherocyte formation.
When Schistocytes are reported on a peripheral blood smear you would expect to see?
The presence of schistocytes (fragmented red blood cells) on the peripheral blood smear suggests red blood cell injury from damaged endothelium and is a characteristic feature of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.
What schistocytes indicate in peripheral smear?
Schistocytes are split red blood cells that indicate microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Their presence in a peripheral smear is the hallmark for diagnosing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
Why are there spherocytes in autoimmune hemolytic anemia?
What is the prognosis of hereditary spherocytosis (HS)?
Overall, the long-term outlook (prognosis) for people with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is usually good with treatment. However, it may depend on the severity of the condition in each person. HS is often classified as being mild, moderate or severe.
What is peripheral smear morphology?
Definition of peripheral blood smear – NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms – National Cancer Institute A procedure in which a sample of blood is viewed under a microscope to count different circulating blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc) and see whether the cells look normal. Skip to content Español
Is spherocytosis an autoimmune disease?
by — 2007-09-03 in Autoimmune diseases. Hereditary spherocytosis is a familial hemolytic disorder characterized by marked heterogeneity of clinical features, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to fulminant and extremely serious hemolytic anemia.
Is the peripheral blood smear test normal?
A blood smear test is said to be normal when the sample of blood contains an optimum number of cells and the cells have a normal appearance. The results of the peripheral smear are considered abnormal when there is an abnormality in the shape, size or number of cells in the blood sample.