Questions and Answers
What is anaemia?
A reduction in the number of erythrocytes, indicated by decreased red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, and/or haematocrit.
Which of the following is most likely to significantly affect the results of our data when investigating anaemia?
What tests would you perform first to investigate a dog's anaemia?
Take blood sample in EDTA, perform an automated analysis, evaluate machine generated values, and examine blood smear.
Haemoglobin is the most accurate way of measuring the ability to carry oxygen.
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What does MCV stand for?
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A decrease in MCHC usually causes hypochromasia.
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Match the causes of icterus to their classifications:
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How many platelets are there on average per high power field in this image?
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What is anisocytosis?
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What is macrocytosis?
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What does MCV stand for?
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What indicates macrocytosis?
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Microcytosis is indicative of iron deficiency anemia.
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What can cause false decrease in cell size in blood samples?
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What characterizes polychromasia?
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Hypochromasia is a condition with increased cell staining.
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What should be done to ensure accurate results from machine-generated values?
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What is one of the learning objectives from Week Two, Lesson One of Clinical Pathology?
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Which breeds are mentioned to recognize familial macrocytosis?
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Which of the following conditions are associated with hypochromasia? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Learning Objectives
- Understand the investigative approach to anaemia.
- Master the preparation, staining, and examination of blood smears for precise analysis.
Introduction to Anaemia
- Anaemia is suspected from patient history and clinical examinations.
- Acute anaemia can cause symptoms like pallor, tachycardia, and shock; chronic anaemia may lead to a more compensated, normal appearance.
Definition and Classification of Anaemia
- Defined as a reduction in erythrocytes indicated by decreased RBC count, haemoglobin, or haematocrit.
- Feline RBCs may overlap in size with platelets, possibly leading to false readings.
- Haemoglobin concentration reflects oxygen-carrying capacity but may be affected by lipaemia and haemolysis.
- Haematocrit is a calculated value, differing slightly from PCV.
- Anaemia can be classified morphologically by red cell indices such as MCV, MCH, and MCHC.
Diagnostic Blood Smear
- Blood smear examination is crucial to identify morphological changes that automated analysers may miss.
- Snapshot of patient health; provides insights into red and white blood cell structure.
- Examination technique includes starting at low magnification, progressing to oil immersion for detailed analysis of RBC morphology and estimates of WBC and platelet counts.
Red Cell Indices
- MCV (Mean Cell Volume): Assesses average red cell size; can be normocytic, macrocytic, or microcytic.
- MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin): Indicates average haemoglobin per red cell.
- MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration): Average haemoglobin concentration; hypochromasia suggests a decrease.
Importance of Blood Smear Examination
- Identifies errors from automated results, aiding in clinical decision-making.
- Errors from clots or sample issues can significantly compromise data integrity.
Making a Diagnostic Blood Smear
- A diagnostic smear must include clear patient identification, even and consistent smear length, and stainable visibility.
- Use techniques for optimal smear creation, focusing on controlling blood drop size and smooth spreading.
Troubleshooting Blood Smear Issues
- Strategies to address common problems such as smeared length and thickness for consistent results.
Examining and Interpretating a Blood Smear
- Systematic examination includes assessing RBC size, shape, color, and inclusions, determining white blood cell types, and estimating platelet counts.
Anisocytosis and Morphological Changes
- Anisocytosis: Variation in red cell size; can indicate various conditions.
- Macrocytosis: Larger than average RBCs; suggests regeneration or possible disease.
- Microcytosis: Smaller than typical RBCs; often associates with iron deficiency.
- Polychromasia: Presence of immature cell forms indicating regenerative activity or stress responses.
Importance of Platelet Counts
- Validates automated analyzer results; small, round structures with variable sizes pose identification challenges, especially in cats.
Conclusion
- Blood smear examination provides vital insights into anaemia and other blood disorders by identifying subtle cellular abnormalities that automated tests might overlook.
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Description
In this lesson, we dive into the investigation of anaemia through the preparation and examination of blood smears. We will cover the machine-generated values that help us understand different types of anaemia and the significance of blood smear analysis. Join us to enhance your knowledge in clinical pathology and laboratory medicine.
