Hematology

Red Blood Cells

erythrocytes

White Blood Cells

leukocytes

Platelets

thrombocytes

RBC function

oxygen transport

WBC function

body defense

Mononuclear cells

monocytes and lymphocytes

Granulocytes

neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

Platelet function

blood clotting

Neutrophils appearance

segmented or banded nuclei (2-5 lobes), granular cytoplasm

Neutrophils function

phagocytosis

Most abundant WBC

neutrophil

Eosinophil appearance

segmented nuclei (2+), red/orange granular cytoplasm

Eosinophil function

kill parasitic worms; complex role in allergy and asthma

Basophil appearance

cytoplasmic granules cover entire cell

Least common WBC

basophil

Basophil function

mediates inflammation; release histamine

Lymphocyte appearance

Large nucleus with clear blue cytoplasm.

Lymphocyte function

immune response

Monocyte appearance

largest cell, large nucleus, can have holes

Monocyte function

phagocytosis

Platelet appearance

no nucleus, small, stain blue/purple

Erythrocyte appearance

pink/red, no nucleus, round shape

Polychromasia

Immature RBC, multi colored

Target cell

associated with sickle cell, looks like a target

Sickle cell

shriveld up RBC

Schistocytes

RBC fragments

tear drop RBCs

All in one direction indicates poor smear

Nucleated RBC

immature RBC; seen in infants, and rapid blood loss

Blood smear prep

1 drop of EDTA blood, smear using two slides, label slide

Good blood smear

feathered edge, spans 2/3 of slide length, covers whole width, no scrapes/bubbles

What stain is used for blood smears

Wright-Giemsa

Wright (Methylene blue + eosin) function

fixes stain

Giemsa

stains everything blue

Why is a buffer used in the staining process?

to neutralize the pH

What is the last step of the staining process (stain, buffer, then…)

H2O rinse

Blood smear scan

use 100x and oil, start count at area with monolayer cells, navigate and count WBC until 100 cells are counted

Neutrophil normal value

54-62%

Lymphocyte normal value

25-33%

Monocyte normal value

3-9%

Eosinophil normal value

1-3%

Basophil normal value

<1%

Elevated neutrophils

bacterial infections, stress

Elevated lymphocytes

Mono, whooping cough, viral infections

Elevated monocytes

malaria, TB, fungal infections

Elevated eosinophils

parasitic worms, allergic reactions

Elevated basophils

cancer, chicken pox, autoimmune disorders

neutrophil

eosinophil

basophil

erythrocyte

monocytes

lymphocytes

platelets

target cells

polychromasia

nucleated RBC

sickle cell

schistocytes

teardrop cells