Lab Homework #5- Blood Films, Rapid Staining Techniques, Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Morphology (Domestic Species)

Describe the characteristics of a good quality blood film.

When observing a good quality blood film, one characteristic you should see is all 3 parts of the film (Feathered edge, monolayer, and body of the blood film). The length of the blood film should be about 2/3 the length of the slide. The feathered edge should be either straight or bell shaped with no tails or abrupt ends. The width of the blood film should be slightly narrower than the glass slide. Finally there should be a gradual transition from the body to the feathered edge.

What domestic species does not normally demonstrate a peripheral blood polychromatophilic response in a regenerative anemia?

Equine

The end of the blood film (the part farthest from the drop of blood) is called what? 

Feathered edge

If you were making a blood film on an animal with a high hematocrit you may need to change your technique by doing which of the following:

decrease the angle of the spreader slide

Explain in scientific (clinical pathology terms) and layman's terms (simple language the average person can understand) what IMHA is. Be specific to receive full credit.

Clinical Pathology terms: IMHA stands for immune mediated hemolytic anemia. A disease where macrophages attaches to the erythrocytes and lyses the cell prematurely.

Layman's terms: A disease where the body's immune system destroys its own red blood cells

What do pressure ridges on a blood film look like? How can the problem be corrected? 

Lines spread across the width of the slide. Decrease the amount of pressure put on the spreader slide

If you were making a blood film on an animal which is anemic you would need to change your technique by doing which of the following:

increasing the angle of the spreader slide

Using your clinical pathology terms when appropriate, describe the differences between a Howell-Jolly body and a Heinz body. (Include 1) shape of inclusion, 2) color of inclusion, and 3) significance of inclusion)

A Howell-Jolly body is round in shape while on the other hand, a Heinz body is also round but has a pimple/nose protrusion from the RBC. The Heinz body is hemolyzed in color and the Howell-Jolly body is hemolyzed but has a basophilic dot. The Howell-Jolly body has nuclear fragments that make up the basophilic area and the Heinz body is the excess hemoglobin trying to escape the RBC.

****What is the significance of each? Under what circumstances will we see HJ's and Heinz bodies? Is there a particular disease process? Type of anemia?