Clin Path

Question 1

What kind of monolayer would you expect on a blood slide from an anemic patient?

Answer 1

A long monolayer

Question 2

True or false; feline RBCs lack a central pallor.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Define autoagglutination

Answer 3

3-D stacking appearance of RBCs which occurs due to the presence of surface
bound immunoglobulins
(antibodies).

*Usually IgM.

Question 4

Which type of red blood cell might you see in patients suffering from the following: IMHA, oxidative injury, bee sting, coral snake envenomation, or transfused/stored blood?

Answer 4

Spherocytes

Smaller in size, lack central pallor and
have a dense coloration. May not appear
biconcave.

Caused by a loss of cell membrane.

Question 5

Which type of red blood cell might you see in patients suffering from the following: coral/rattle/viper snake envenomation, electrolyte depletion, kidney disease in dogs

Answer 5

Echinocytes

Regularly/evenly spiculated/spiky. Can also be caused by artifact.

Useful in determining if a snake bite is venomous in the absence of snake identification.

Question 6

Define Poikilocytosis

Answer 6

Used to describe any deviation in RBC formation from normal.

Question 7

Describe the appearance of an acanthocyte

Answer 7

Irregular and more rounded projections (which differ from echinocytes which are more even spikes).

Commonly associated with liver disease.

Question 8

Which red blood cell is associated with DIC (in dogs, not cats) and can also be seen with liver disease, iron deficiency anemia, and glomerulonephritis?

Answer 8

Schistocytes

Caused by the shearing of the red blood cell into pieces secondary to microvascular changes during DIC.

Question 9

What is the formal term for a “target cell” or codocyte?

Answer 9

Leptocyte