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DD & BL Unit 1 > Hematology > Flashcards

Hematology Flashcards

1
Q

RBC Count

A

Given as 10 ^ 6 / uL or 10 ^ 12 / L

Normal is above 4.75 for males and above 4.18 for females

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2
Q

HGB

A

Measures the concentration of hemoglobin released by lysed red cells into whole blood

Given as g / DL

Normal is above 14 for males; above 12 for females

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3
Q

HCT

A

Measures the percentage of whole blood occupied by red cells

Given as a % total blood volume
Normal is above 39 for males, above 35 for females

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4
Q

MCV

A

Mean corpuscular volume measures the mean size of red cells

Given in femtoliters (10 ^ -15 L)

Normal is 80 - 100

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5
Q

MCH

A

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin measures the mean quantity of hemoglobin in a single red cell

Given in picograms 10 ^ -12g

MCH = HGB / RBC

Low MCH = hypochromatic
High MCH = hyperchromatic

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6
Q

MCHC

A

Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration is the average concentration of hemoglobin in a single red cell - corrects MCH for MCV

MCHC = HGB / HCT

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7
Q

RDW

A

Red Cell Distribution Width measures the variability in red cell size

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8
Q

Neutrophil

A

~ 2x size of typical RBC with many fine granules and 2-5 nuclear lobes

~40 - 72% (dif)

The presence of hypersegmented neutrophils (>5 nuclear lobes) is indicative of megaloblastic anemia (B12 or folate deficiency)

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9
Q

Eosinophil

A

~2x size of RBC with red/orange granules and usually 2 nuclear lobes

0.0% - 6.0% (dif)

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10
Q

Basophil

A

Contains numerous large, round, purple-black or dark blue cytoplasmic granules

0.0% - 0.2% (dif)

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11
Q

Monocyte

A

Large, kidney shaped nucleus; pale blue cytoplasm

2.0% - 11.0% (dif)

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12
Q

Lymphocyte

A

Small with round, dense nucleus and scant blue cytoplasm

20 - 50% (dif)

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13
Q

Spherocytes

A

Small, spherical RBCs w/o central pallor

Often due to cell membrane defects, i.e. hereditary spherocytosis caused by spectrin mutation and loss of cell membrane

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14
Q

Bite Cells

A

Caused by removal of Heinz bodies in the spleen;

Suspicious for G6PD Deficiency

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15
Q

Schistocytes

A

RBC fragments; characteristic of intravascular hemolysis

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16
Q

Target Cells

A

Suspicious for Thalassemia or HbC Disease

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17
Q

PLT

A

Platelet count is given in 10^3 / uL or 10^9 / L

Usually 150 - 400 10^9 / L

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18
Q

Microcytosis

A

MCV < 80

Iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, lead poisoning

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19
Q

Macrocytosis

A

MCV > 100

Megaloblastic anemia (B12 or folate deficiency)

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20
Q

Reticulocyte Count

A

Immature RBCs found in circulation for 1 day prior to maturation

Counted as a percent of RBCs present; normal range is 0.4 - 1.7% (~1% of RBC mass is produced per day) or below 50,000 / uL

Elevated retic count indicative of anemia due to increased RBC destruction or loss

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21
Q

Reticulocyte Index

A

Provides a ratio of how many fold beyond baseline the normal RBC production is

RI should be between 1 and 2

RI < 1 with anemia indicates decreased production of RBCs

RI > 2 with anemia indicates loss of RBCs (destruction or bleeding) leading to increased compensatory production

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22
Q

Iron absorption

A

Occurs at the mucosal surface of the duodenum where ferric (3+) iron is reduced to ferrous (2+ iron) which enters the epithelial cell via the action of a divalent metal ion transporter DMT1

Inside the cell some iron is stored in ferritin and some is transported across the basolateral membrane by ferroportin; iron is oxidized to 3+ as it leaves the cell and binds plasma apotransferrin

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23
Q

Hepcidin

A

A liver peptide produced in response to high iron intake, inflammation, and/or infection; it is a negative regulator of iron absorption

Hepcidin binds ferroportin, down regulating it’s production and resulting in loss of export of iron out of the cell and increased accumulation of iron storage in cellular ferritin

Hepcidin mediates the anemia of chronic infection/inflammation

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24
Q

Iron transport

A

Iron bound to transferrin moves to the bone marrow where it binds erythroblast surface receptors; the transferrin/transferrin receptor complex is endocytosed and iron is released within the endosome and transported into the cytoplasm by DMT1 to go to sites of ferritin storage

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25
Q

Iron deficiency anemia

A

Decreased Hgb and Hct

Decreased RBC production characterized by low reticulocyte count and index

Microcytosis (low MCV), Hypochromia (low MCH), and wide range in size of RBCs (high RDW)

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26
Q

Iron overload

A

Often caused by increased absorption of iron (hemochromatosis)

HLA-H gene codes for a protein in the duodenal cells which acts as a co-factor for absorption; gain-of-function mutation affecting HLA-H may cause increased iron absorption

Clinical consequences: Heart damage (arrhythmia and congestive heart failure), liver damage, endocrine damage

Treatment: Therapeutic phlebotomy, iron chelation

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27
Q

Where does hematopoiesis occur?

A

Embryonic stage (0 - 3 months) - yolk sac
Fetal stage (3 - 7 months) - liver and spleen
Birth and early childhood - most of the marrow cavity
Adulthood - axial skeleton (vertebrae, pelvis, sternum, ribs, skull)

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28
Q

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

A

Multipotential stem cells that can give rise to all blood cells (both lymphoid and myeloid lineages) via assymetric cell division

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29
Q

Oligopotent Hematopoietic Stem Cells

A

Common progenitor cells of the lymphoid line and myeloid line

CFU-L - gives rise to all lymphoid cells
CFU-GEMM - gives rise to all non-lymphoid blood cells (granulocyte, erythroid, monocyte, megakaryocyte)

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30
Q

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A

Made by kidney cells in response to hypoxia; promotes erythrypoiesis, hemoglobin production, and causes increased release of reticulocytes into the peripheral blood

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31
Q

Erythrocyte maturation

A 
CFU-ME
BFU-E 
Pronormoblast 
Basophilic Normoblast 
Polychromatophilic Normoblast 
Orthochromatic Normoblast (last nucleated stage) 
Reticulocyte 
Erythrocyte
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32
Q

Granulocyte maturation

A 
Myeloblast - common progenitor to all 3 granulocyte lineages 
Promyelocyte 
Myelocyte - secondary granules appear 
Metamyelocyte 
Band
Segmented Neutrophil (Seg) 
--> Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil
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33
Q

Megakaryocyte Maturation

A

Megakaryoblast
Promegakaryocyte
Megakaryocyte
Platelet

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34
Q

Monocyte Maturation

A

Monoblast
Promonocyte
Monocyte

35
Q

Marrow cellularity

A

Refers to the portion of the marrow that is hematopoietically active

Marrow may be hypercellular (signaling increased proliferation of one or more lineage) or hypocellular (signaling attack on marrow cells)

36
Q

Factors affecting hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity

A

Bohr Effect - CO2 produced in the tissues as a byproduct of metabolism equilibrates in the blood to form carbonic acid; Hemoglobin has higher O2 affnity at higher pH (i.e. lungs) and lower O2 affinity at lower pH (i.e. tissues)

Temperature - metabolic rates are higher at increased temperatures (exercise, fever); hemoglobin has decreased O2 affinity at higher temperatures

2-3, BPG - a byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis present in RBCs at higher levels during conditions of hypoxia & anemia; 2-3, BPG binds to deoxyhemoglobin, stabilizing the T configuration and decreasing O2 affinity

37
Q

Hemoglobin Variants

A

Embryonic - Hemoglobin Gower 1, Hemoglobin Gower II, Hemoglobin Portland

Fetal Hemoglobin (a2y2) - predominates after 8 weeks, higher O2 affinity than HbA

HbA (a2B2) - 97% of adult hemoglobin
HbA2 (a2d2) - 3% of adult hemoglobin, more in B-thalassemia

38
Q

Physically unstable hemoglobins

A

Can lead to hemolytic anemia, a.k.a. “Heinz Body anemia” due to presence of Heinz bodies - precipitated, denatured hemoglobin within the cell

I.e. Hb Koln, Hb Poole

39
Q

High affinity hemoglobins

A

May lead to erythrocytosis because O2 delivery to the tissues is reduced, leading to increased release of erythropoietin and stimulated RBC production

i.e. Hb Chesapeake

40
Q

Low affinity hemoglobins

A

May be associated with cyanosis (more deoxygenated hemoglobin circulating, < 85% oxygen saturation) often with mild anemia (fewer RBCs needed)

41
Q

Methemoglobinemia

A

Overproduction of methemoglobin, hemoglobin in which iron is bound to the heme group in its ferric (3+) form leading to decreased ability of hemoglobin to unload oxygen

Acquired - oxidation of the heme group by free radicals
Genetic - homozygous deficiency of cytochrome b5 reductase

Treatment: methylene blue

42
Q

Factors affecting hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity

A

Bohr Effect - CO2 produced in the tissues as a byproduct of metabolism equilibrates in the blood to form carbonic acid; Hemoglobin has higher O2 affnity at higher pH (i.e. lungs) and lower O2 affinity at lower pH (i.e. tissues)

Temperature - metabolic rates are higher at increased temperatures (exercise, fever); hemoglobin has decreased O2 affinity at higher temperatures

2-3, BPG - a byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis present in RBCs at higher levels during conditions of hypoxia & anemia; 2-3, BPG binds to deoxyhemoglobin, stabilizing the T configuration and decreasing O2 affinity

43
Q

Hemoglobin Variants

A

Embryonic - Hemoglobin Gower 1, Hemoglobin Gower II, Hemoglobin Portland

Fetal Hemoglobin (a2y2) - predominates after 8 weeks, higher O2 affinity than HbA

HbA (a2B2) - 97% of adult hemoglobin
HbA2 (a2d2) - 3% of adult hemoglobin, more in B-thalassemia

44
Q

Physically unstable hemoglobins

A

Can lead to hemolytic anemia, a.k.a. “Heinz Body anemia” due to presence of Heinz bodies - precipitated, denatured hemoglobin within the cell

I.e. Hb Koln, Hb Poole

45
Q

High affinity hemoglobins

A

May lead to erythrocytosis because O2 delivery to the tissues is reduced, leading to increased release of erythropoietin and stimulated RBC production

i.e. Hb Chesapeake

46
Q

Low affinity hemoglobins

A

May be associated with cyanosis (more deoxygenated hemoglobin circulating, < 85% oxygen saturation) often with mild anemia (fewer RBCs needed)

47
Q

Methemoglobinemia

A

Overproduction of methemoglobin, hemoglobin in which iron is bound to the heme group in its ferric (3+) form leading to decreased ability of hemoglobin to unload oxygen

Acquired - oxidation of the heme group by free radicals
Genetic - homozygous deficiency of cytochrome b5 reductase

Treatment: methylene blue

48
Q

White Blood Cell Count and Differential

A

Normal adult WBC Count: 4,500 - 10,500 / uL or 4.5 - 10.5 x 10^9 / L

Neutrophils: 40 - 60%
Lymphocytes: 20 - 40% 
Monocytes: 2 - 8% 
Eosinophils: 1 - 4% 
Basophils: .5 - 1%
49
Q

Causes of underproduction anemia

A 
Iron-deficiency
Chronic infection / inflammation
Malignant disease
Renal insufficiency
Endocrine disorders
Lead intoxication
Vitamin B12 / Folate deficiency
50
Q

Pathophysiology and lab findings of lead intoxication

A

Lead inhibits the synthesis of protoporphyrin as well as the enzyme that attaches iron to the porphyrin ring, leading to decreased Hb production

Characterized by mild to moderate anemia (Hgb 8 - 12 g/dL), decreased reticulocyte count, microcytosis with mild hypochromia, basophilic stippling, increased protoporphyrin

51
Q

Sideroblastic anemia

A

Results from impaired production of protoporphyrin or incorporation of iron into porphyrin ring - iron accumulates in mitochondria

Inherited and acquired forms

52
Q

Pathophysiology of B12 / folate deficiency

A

Folic acid and B12 are co-factors for hematopoiesis; deficiency causes cells to increase in size, arrest in S phase of mitosis, and undergo destruction

53
Q

B12 absorption, transport, and deficiency

A

B12 binds to intrinsic factor (IF) in the stomach and is absorbed in the terminal ileum; after absorption, B12 is bound to transcobalamin binding protein II (TcII) and transported to the liver for storage or to the bone marrow for use

B12 deficiency may result from auto-immune causes (anti-intrinsic factor antibodies produced), IF deficiency 2/2 gastritis, or defector transport / storage (TCII deficiency)

54
Q

B12 deficiency - laboratory findings & clinical consequences, treatment

A

B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia with an onset on the order of months

Characterized by macrocytosis (MCV > 97), decreased reticulocyte count, RI < 1, increased bilirubin due to intramedullary destruction of RBCs

Clinical presentation includes neurologic features; treatment with large doses of folic acid may exacerbate neurologic damage

Treatment: IM or SC injections of B12 daily for 2 weeks, then weekly until HCT is normal, then monthly for life

55
Q

Folate - absorption, transport

Characteristic anemia & treatment

A

Folate is absorbed in the jejunum and stored in the liver where it is secreted in the bile and reabsorbed (enterohepatic circulation)

Most common causes of deficiency are dietary insufficiency, malabsorption, and increased demand

Characteristic anemia is megaloblastic with an acute onset on the order of weeks; MCV > 97, decreased reticulocyte count, RI < 1, increased bilirubin due to intramedullary destruction of RBCs

Treatment: 1 mg/day orally

56
Q

Differential Diagnosis for microcytic, hypochromic anemia

A

Iron deficiency, lead poisoning, occult GI bleed, decreased production (primary marrow disease) peripheral destruction (hemolysis), anemia of chronic disease

57
Q

Megaloblastic anemia - etiology, CBC, and smear findings

A

CBC findings:
Decreased RBC, HGB, HCT
Increased MCV, MCH, RDW

Smear findings:
Sparser number of RBCs, RBCs are large, presence of hypersegmented neutrophils

Etiology: Vitamin B12 / folate deficiency, chemotherapy / radiation causing dysplasia of bone marrow

58
Q

Intravascular hemolysis - Mechanism

A

Hemoglobin from lysed RBCs is released into circulation where it dissociates into alpha-beta dimers, which bind to the liver protein haptoglobin; this complex is removed from circulation by the liver

Excess free Hb dimers may be broken down and converted to bilirubin in the liver or may be oxidized to methemoglobin

59
Q

Extravascular hemolysis - Mechanism

A

The faulty RBC is ingested by a macrophage in the spleen; iron is removed from hemoglobin and released for storage in transferrib; the porphyrin ring is converted to bilirubin which enters the blood where it is taken up by the liver and conjugated with glucuronic acid, which is secreted into the gut and transformed into fecal urobilinogen

60
Q

Laboratory findings relevant to hemolysis

A

Increased retic count / RI (compensatory)

Presence of spherocytes, schistocytes

Hyperbilirubinemia (mostly unconjugated; the hepatic process of conjugation with glucuronic acid is overwhelmed)

Increased serum / urine hemoglobin

61
Q

Hereditary Spherocytosis

A

Characterized by variable onset of moderate anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly

Most commonly caused by spectrin deficiency resulting in loss of plasma membrane and formation of spherocytic RBCs which are less deformable and have greater osmotic fragility

Labs: 
Increased retic count and RI
Decreased MCV
Spherocytes on smear
Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia
62
Q

G6PD Deficiency

A

X-linked recessive deficiency of G6PD enzyme, important in the pathway that restores reduced glutathione necessary in protecting the cell against oxidative stress; in the absence of G6PD, oxidative stress causes oxidation of hemoglobin which denatures and attaches to the membrane, damaging spectrin; spectrin damage results in decreased deformability of RBC, splenic trapping, and extravascular hemolysis

Hemolytic crisis may be precipitated by fava beans, aspirin

63
Q

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency

A

Enzyme defect in PK, which converts phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate; results in decreased ATP, loss of membrane plasticity and increased membrane rigidity, extravascular hemolysis (in the spleen)

64
Q

Sickle Cell Disease

A

Autosomal recessively inherited condition resulting from mutation in the beta globin chain at the 6th AA from glutamate to valine

Characterized by severe anemia (Hb 6-9g/dL), high reticulocyte count, increased RDW, abnormal smear with presence of sickled cells, increased bilirubin, LDH, AST (released from lysed RBCs)

Treatment: bone marrow transplant, hydroxyurea (induces production of HbF), transfusion

65
Q

Sickle Beta0 Thalassemia

A

Caused by the presence of one sickle cell gene and one defective beta globin gene

Characterized by severely low Hb (6-9g/dL), elevated retic count, microcytic RBCs

Clinically severe

66
Q

Sickle Hemoglobin C Disease (SC Disease)

A

Caused by the presence of one sickle cell gene and one HbC gene (mutation of beta globin AA 6 from glutamate to lysine)

Characterized by moderately low Hb (10-12 mg/dL), slightly elevated retic count

Mild to moderate clinical severity because the presence of HbC interferes with the polymerization of HbS within the RBC

67
Q

Clinical and lab findings of thalassemia

A

Decreased MCV, MCHC
Increased retic count
Abnormal peripheral smear with microcytosis, target cells, increased reticulocytes
Increased bilirubin, LDH, AST
Splenomegaly
Extramedullary hematopoiesis (frontal bossing, osteopenia, splenomegaly)

68
Q

Treatment of thalassemia

A

Transfusion - indicated in B-thalassemia major; started within the first 2 years of life to maintain Hb values between 8-10 g/dL in order to prevent extramedullary hematopoesis, allowing normal growth and development

Hydroxyurea - increases HbF production

Bone marrow transplant - requires HLA-identical, unaffected sibling

69
Q

Major blood group alloantigens

A

Alloantigens are biochemically distinct differences in polysaccharides on the surface of RBCs that are immunologically different but functionally identical

The major blood alloantigens are A, B, O, and AB, differentiated by different polysccharides / glycoproteins

70
Q

Rh System

A

The Rh antigen system consists of 3 pairs of alleles: C/c, D/-, and E/e

RhD is the most clinically significant, referred to as Rh+ or Rh-

85% of US Caucasians are RhD+

71
Q

Blood components

A

Whole Blood - indicated in massive transfusions to replace oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) - indicated to replace oxygen-carrying capacity (Hct = 70%) in chronic anemia or acute blood loss

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) - indicated to treat coagulopathy related to procoagulatnt deficiency; acellular, contains all essential clotting factors as well as complement factors and other plasma proteins

Donor Platelet Concentrate - platelet function is maintained but concentrates are a poor source of clotting factors; indicated for bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia

72
Q

Immediate hemolytic transfusion reaction

A

Results from transfusion with incompatible blood products (usually ABO mismatched); results in activation of complement and intravascular hemolysis leading to shock, acute renal failure, and intravascular coagulation

Treatment: stop the infusion, maintain renal output with IV fluids and diuretics

73
Q

Howell-Jolly Bodies

A

Single, dense blue dot inclusion in RBCs, evident on smear; comprised of nuclear DNA

Caused by (real or functional) asplenia, megaloblastic anemia

74
Q

Heinz Body

A

Blue dot inclusion in the periphery of RBCs, evident on smear with supravital dye

Comprised of denatured/oxidized hemoglobin attached to the inner cell membrane

Cause: G6PD deficiency

Associated with bite cells

75
Q

Hypersegmented Neutrophils

A

More than 5 lobes

Associated with megaloblastic anemia

76
Q

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)

A

Measures the capacity of the blood to bind iron with transferrin

High in iron deficient anemia because the body is trying to maximize capture of all available iron

Low in anemia of chronic disease because the body sequesters iron in intracellular ferritin in order to keep it away from pathogens in circulation

77
Q

Transferrin Saturation

A

Gives the percentage of transferrin that is available to bind iron in circulation

Calculcated by serum iron / TIBC x 100

Low in iron deficiency anemia
Low-normal in anemia of chronic disease; seen with increased ferritin
High in hemochromatosis

78
Q

Hemoglobin E

A

Caused by a point mutation in in the B-globin gene, creating an abnormally spliced B-globin mRNA and production of small amounts of abnormal B-globin protein that interacts weakly with alpha globin

Homozygotes present with mild Beta Thalassemia; heterozygotes are clinically normal

79
Q

Hemoglobin C

A

Caused by a Glutamate –> Lysine point mutation in the hemoglobin beta chain

Homozygotes present with mild hemolytic anemia; heterozygotes are clinically normal

80
Q

Cold antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia

A

Cold antibodies, usually IgG or IgM, transiently bind RBCs in cooler areas of the body; as they move back to central circulation, they activate complement through the C5-C9 MAC; the antibody dissociates because of low affinity at these warmer central temperatures and complement destroys the cell via intravascular hemolysis .

81
Q

Warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia

A

Warm antibodies, usually IgG, bind the red cell and trigger splenic macrophage phagocytosis of the red cell via interaction of the Fc domain, leading to extravascular hemolysis

Little or no complement activity

82
Q

Direct antiglobulin test (DAT) or Coomb’s Test

A

Evaluates the presence of either IgG or C3d or C4d on the surface of a patient’s RBCs via the addition of Coombs reagent which has antibodies for IgG, C3d and C4d, causing agglutination.

83
Q

Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)

A

Specific test for Vitamin B12 deficiency; elevated in B12 deficiency

84
Q

Homocysteine

A

Elevated in B12 and folate deficiency

DD & BL Unit 1 (6 decks)

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