RBC Morphology

Question 1

What are the 5 things to assess for RBC morphology?

Answer 1

Size
Colour
Shape
Inclusions
Arrangement

Question 2

What does a macrocytic anemia mean?

Answer 2

Regeneration

Question 3

What does a microcytic anemia mean?

Answer 3

Fe deficiency anemia

Question 4

What is polychromasia?

Answer 4

Young cells aka regenerative anemia

Question 5

What does hypochromasia mean?

Answer 5

less hemoglobin

Question 6

What are the main 3 important erythrocyte shapes?

Answer 6

Spiculated
Fragmented
Spherocytes

Question 7

What are 3 types of spiculated RBC?

Answer 7

Acanthocytes
Echinocytes
Keratocytes

Question 8

What are 3 in vivo causes of spiculated RBCs?

Answer 8

Electrolyte imbalances
Non-specific diseases
Rattlesnake envenomation

Question 9

How can you tell if the spiculation is in vivo?

Answer 9

Will see uniform changes on the film.

Question 10

What is an in vitro cause of spiculated RBCs?

Answer 10

Crenation fro slow drying

Question 11

T/F: In rattlesnake envenomation, spicules go away before the central zone of palor returns.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What does an acanthocyte look like?

Answer 12

Unevenly distributed projectinos.

Question 13

What causes acanthocyte formation?

Answer 13

Liver disease in humans
Hepatic lipidosis in cats
Hemangiosarcoma in dogs

Question 14

What is a schistocyte?

Answer 14

RBC fragment

Question 15

What causes schitocytes?

Answer 15

Intravascular trauma (eg. DIC)
Iron deficiency anemia

Question 16

What is a keratocyte?

Answer 16

One or two long spicules, broken open blister cell.

Question 17

In what species do you not often see hypochromasia in?

Answer 17

Cats

Question 18

What does the presence of spherocytes suggest?

Answer 18

IMHA

Question 19

T/F: The volume in spherocytes is less than in normal RBCs.

Answer 19

False, the volume is the same.

Question 20

What is pretty much the only species where you can see spherocytes?

Answer 20

Canine, other species RBCs are too small to have a proper ZCP.

Question 21

What is an eccentrocyte?

Answer 21

All the hemoglobin moves to one side putting the ZCP off to the side.

Question 22

What is the cause of am eccentrocyte?

Answer 22

Oxidative damage (eg. Ingestion of onions)

Question 23

What are eccentrocytes commonly seen in conjunction with?

Answer 23

Heinz body formation.

Question 24

What 3 cell types are of little diagnostic significance?

Answer 24

Target cells
Bowl cells
Folded cells

Question 25

What is a stomatocyte?

Answer 25

RBC with a mouth-shaped ZCP.

Question 26

Are stomatocytes significant?

Answer 26

No.

Question 27

What 3 breeds have hereditary stomatocytosis?

Answer 27

Alaskan malamutes Miniature schnauzers Drentse partrijshond

Question 28

What 5 structures do you see in or on RBCs?

Answer 28

``` Heinz bodies Basophilic stipling Nucleated RBCs and Howel Jolly bodies Parasites Viral inclusions (canine distemper) ```

Question 29

What causes Heinz body formation?

Answer 29

Oxidative denaturation of hemoglobin.

Question 30

What are 3 causes of Heinz bodies in cats?

Answer 30

Acetaminophen**** Propylene glycol Illness

Question 31

What are 3 diseases in cats that cause Heinz bodies?

Answer 31

Lymphoma Hyperthyroidism Diabetes

Question 32

What is a cause of Heinz bodies in all species?

Answer 32

Onions and garlic powder

Question 33

What is a cause of Heinz bodies in dogs?

Answer 33

Cephalosporins

Question 34

T/F: Penny ingestion causes Heinz bodies.

Answer 34

True, zinc toxicosis

Question 35

What are 2 causes of Heinz bodies in horses?

Answer 35

Phenothiazines | WILTED red maple leaves

Question 36

What are 2 causes of Heinz bodies in cows?

Answer 36

Kale | Onions

Question 37

What is a cause of Heinz bodies in sheep?

Answer 37

Copper toxicosis

Question 38

What causes basophilic stippling?

Answer 38

Abnormal aggregation of ribosomes appearing as small basophilic granules

Question 39

What species is basophilic stippling normal in?

Answer 39

Ruminants

Question 40

What should you consider if you see a significant amount of basophilic stippling in small animals?

Answer 40

Lead poisoning

Question 41

When are nucleated RBCs normally seen?

Answer 41

Regenerative anemias Non-functioning spleens/splenectomy Increased corticosteroid

Question 42

What should be considdered if the number of nucleated RBCs is out of proportions to the degree of anemia?

Answer 42

Lead poisoning

Question 43

Do you include the nucleated RBCs in your cell differential?

Answer 43

Yes.

Question 44

What should you start worrying about if you see anything earlier than a rubriblast in circulation?

Answer 44

Red cell leukemia.

Question 45

What are the 4 major RBC parasites?

Answer 45

Mycoplasma haemofelis Cytauxzoon felis Mycoplasma haemocanis Babesia canis & gibsoni

Question 46

Where on Earth do you find Mycoplasma haemofelis?

Answer 46

Everywhere

Question 47

Where on Earth do you find Cytauxzoon felis?

Answer 47

More widespread in the US.

Question 48

How common is Mycoplasma haemocanis?

Answer 48

VERY rare, often see in a non-functioning spleen or splenectomized patient.

Question 49

What species has normal rouleaux formation?

Answer 49

Horses

Question 50

What does rouleaux suggest in small animals?

Answer 50

Increased globulin

Question 51

What causes agglutination?

Answer 51

IgM (IgG isn't strong enough)

Question 52

What does agglutination suggest?

Answer 52

Ab attachment to RBCs (IMHA)

Question 53

How can you differentiate rouleaux from agglutination?

Answer 53

Isotonic saline test, rouleaux will disperse, agglutination will not.