Schizocyte Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Schizocyte and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Wright's stained peripheral blood smear made from EDTA specimen.What RBC morphologies are present? | View Page |
| Summary The normal RBC count (4.84 x 1012/L) in this case, together with the decreased hemoglobin (8.4 g/dL) and MCV (59 fl) is an indicator of ineffective erythropoeisis that often points to thalassemia.The RBC morphology shows slight hypochromic microcytosis with codocytes, schizocytes, and basophilic stippling. Schizocytes form by several mechanisms, one being the removal of RBC inclusions.This patient's elevated bilirubin correlates with her presentation of sclera icterus; her splenomegaly is consistent with increased RBC destruction.The Hb electrophoresis demonstrated a normal pattern, initially, but the unstable Hemoglobin H was revealed upon repeat electrophoresis with reduced incubation time. Hemoglobin H is the result of beta globin chain tetramer formation due to the insufficient supply of alpha globin chains in alpha thalassemia intermedia.People with Hemoglobin H disease (alpha thalassemia intermedia) usually have a normal life expectancy without treatment. However, hemolysis may lead to moderate anemia that may be treated with splenectomy. | View Page |
| Alpha Thalassemia Major Anemia is fatal.Red blood cell (RBC) count is increased.Hemoglobin (Hb) is severely decreased.Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is decreased. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is decreased.Red cell distribution width (RDW) is increased.RBC morphology shows slight hypochromic microcytosis with codocytes, schizocytes, nucleated RBCs.Reticulocytes are increased.Hb electrophoresis demonstrates abnormal pattern on cord blood: Hb A - absentHb Bart's - 80-90%Hb Portland - 0-20%Bone marrow demonstrates marked erythroid hyperplasia. | View Page |
| Alpha Thalassemia Intermedia Anemia is moderate.RBC count is increased.Hb is moderately decreased.MCV is decreased. MCHC is decreased.RDW is increased.RBC morphology shows slight hypochromic microcytosis with codocytes, schizocytes, and basophilic stippling.Reticulocytes are moderately increased.Hb electrophoresis demonstrates abnormal patterns in both adults and neonates.Adults:HbA decreasedHbA2 decreasedHbF normal to decreasedHb H -2-40% (beta chain tetramers)Neonates: 10-40% Bart's (gamma chain tetramers)Hb H inclusions are frequently seen.Bone marrow demonstrates erythroid hyperplasia. | View Page |
| The misshapened "spiked" erythrocytes included in the photograph may be found in each of the following conditions except: | View Page |