Reticulocyte identification from Red Cell Disorders: Peripheral Blood Clues to Nonneoplastic Conditions, presented by MediaLab

Erythrocyte Disorders: Smear Case 3: Intracellular RBC Inclusions

Reticulocyte identification

Reticulocytes are red blood cells prematurely released from the bone marrow.
On a Wright-Giemsa stained blood smear, they appear as polychromatic macrocytes. Their presence in the peripheral blood may suggest hemolysis or bleeding.
Their presence is expressed as a percentage of the red cell count: newly born= 3-7%; up to one week of age=1-3%; >one week =0.3-1.8%.
Automated or manual methods may be used to enumerate reticulocytes.
In clinical context, retics must be separated from debris, precipated stain, Pappenheimer bodies, Howell-Jolly bodies, and Heinz bodies.

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