Veterinary Hematology Overview
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Veterinary Hematology Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which species has the highest mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values indicating the largest red blood cells (RBCs)?

  • Sheep
  • Goats
  • Dogs (correct)
  • Llamas
  • What do hypochromic red blood cells indicate in terms of hemoglobin concentration?

  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Normal hemoglobin levels
  • Decreased hemoglobin concentration (correct)
  • High iron concentration
  • Heinz bodies are associated with which type of damage to red blood cells?

  • Physical trauma to the RBCs
  • Viral infections
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Oxidant damage (correct)
  • Acanthocytes are commonly observed in which specific conditions?

    <p>Hepatic lipidosis in cats and hemangiosarcoma in dogs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cause of basophilic stippling in red blood cells?

    <p>Aggregation of ribosomes into small granules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding the classification of anemia?

    <p>MCH and MCHC are used to classify anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition typically results in pale red blood cells with a decreased concentration of hemoglobin?

    <p>Iron deficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What appearance do Heinz bodies take when stained with methylene blue?

    <p>Blue and pale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern when interpreting plasma protein concentration in the presence of hyperlipemia?

    <p>It can falsely increase the plasma protein concentration by 2 g/dL.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method can be used to determine total leukocyte concentration?

    <p>Unopette dilution or particle counting instruments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding reticulocyte regeneration in dogs?

    <p>Regeneration takes at least 3 days before reticulocytes appear in circulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does hemoglobin concentration relate to packed cell volume (PCV) in most species?

    <p>It is approximately one-third of the PCV.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an increased mean cell volume (MCV) indicate about RBCs?

    <p>They indicate increased red cell turnover.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the variation in red blood cell size?

    <p>Anisocytosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of red blood cell abnormality is caused by intravascular trauma?

    <p>Schistocytes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characterization best describes the red blood cells of Akita and Shiba Inu dogs?

    <p>They normally exhibit microcytic RBCs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are codocytes primarily associated with in animals?

    <p>Increased serum cholesterol concentrations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic feature distinguishes stomatocytes from other red blood cells?

    <p>Presence of a clear mouth-like area in the center</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does polychromasia indicate in a blood sample?

    <p>Young erythrocytes with a reticulocyte response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of anemia is characterized by red blood cells of normal volume?

    <p>Normocytic anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might band cells be present in peripheral blood, albeit in small numbers?

    <p>As a result of increased red blood cell production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key identifying feature of metamyelocytes?

    <p>Bean-shaped nucleus not typically found in blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would suggest an increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in red blood cells?

    <p>Macrocytic anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of rouleaux formation in blood indicate?

    <p>Inflammation and infection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes metarubricytes?

    <p>They are smaller than rubricytes and still contain a nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes polychromatophilic erythrocytes?

    <p>They contain nuclear remnants and may appear blue-pink.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes acute inflammatory changes in neutrophils?

    <p>They are accompanied by a left shift within a few hours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about granulocyte (myeloid) cells?

    <p>They are derived from stem cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is accurate regarding the maturation sequence of megakaryocytes?

    <p>The sequence starts with megakaryoblasts and ends with mature megakaryocytes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines toxic neutrophil changes in the context of acute inflammation?

    <p>They indicate a severe infection or inflammation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do rubricytes differ from their precursor cells?

    <p>They have less coarse chromatin compared to prorubricytes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which anatomical site is considered optimal for bone marrow aspiration in small dogs and cats?

    <p>Proximal femur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate myeloid-erythroid (M:E) ratio in normal conditions?

    <p>0.5:1 to 3:1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cell type should be present at least 5 to 10 per slide for a proper hematological evaluation?

    <p>Megakaryocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential reason for the increased number of macrophages in a sample?

    <p>Immune-mediated disorders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which phase is the myeloblastic series most abundant?

    <p>Proliferative pool</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the total erythroid cells does the prorubricyte stage typically represent?

    <p>65%-75%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of leukemia may complicate the identification of the hemodiluted samples?

    <p>Monocytic leukemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT typically increase the complexity of sample evaluation for hemodilution?

    <p>High red blood cell count</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the composition of the segmented neutrophils in the myeloid series?

    <p>80%-85%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is true for metamyelocytes compared to myelocytes?

    <p>Metamyelocytes have a kidney-bean shaped nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do band neutrophils differ from segmented neutrophils?

    <p>Band neutrophils have horseshoe-shaped nuclei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a distinguishing feature of osteoblasts compared to osteoclasts?

    <p>Osteoblasts appear larger than plasma cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cell type is primarily recognized for lysis of bone?

    <p>Osteoclasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the appearance of monocytes in peripheral blood compared to bone marrow?

    <p>Monocytes in peripheral blood appear identical to their bone marrow counterparts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a decreased myeloid to erythroid (M:E) ratio indicate?

    <p>Increased RBC production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is suggested by disorderly maturation of cells?

    <p>Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An increased M:E ratio primarily suggests which of the following?

    <p>Decreased RBC production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of mature cells, such as metamyelocytes and bands, should ideally be observed in a normal sample?

    <p>80% to 90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a typical indication of increased myeloid cell production?

    <p>High erythropoietin levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of spherocytes in a blood sample predominantly suggest?

    <p>Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eccentrocytes in a blood sample are associated with which mechanism of RBC damage?

    <p>Oxidative damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about rouleaux formation is accurate?

    <p>It is normal in horses and enhanced by increased plasma protein concentration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Leptocytes are characterized by what distinct feature?

    <p>Excess membrane relative to internal contents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consequence of agglutination of red blood cells?

    <p>Formation of clumps of RBCs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the staining of neutrophils in different species?

    <p>Cows exhibit faint pink granules in neutrophils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which situation do eccentrocytes often appear?

    <p>During oxidative damage to RBCs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the feature of polychromatophilic erythrocytes?

    <p>They indicate a regenerative response in anemia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be suspected if a steroid response is absent in a sick dog?

    <p>Hypoadrenocorticism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the evaluation of neutrophilia, what should be examined if there is no left shift present?

    <p>Lymphocyte numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which abnormality indicates the presence of lymphocytic leukemia?

    <p>Large-diameter, lighter-staining nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary feature of rubriblasts in the erythroid cell maturation sequence?

    <p>Presence of several nucleoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition can lead to lymphopenia necessitating consideration of a steroid response?

    <p>Stress or excitement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In horses, why is bone marrow evaluation particularly important?

    <p>To determine if anemia is regenerative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is characteristic of erythroid cells as they mature?

    <p>Nuclei size decreases and chromatin becomes denser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected quality of lymphocytes during an excitement response?

    <p>Normal appearance with increased numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about lymphocytes is true?

    <p>Normal lymphocytes have a smaller diameter than neutrophils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes regenerative anemia from nonregenerative anemia?

    <p>The presence of immature RBCs circulating in the bloodstream.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a high concentration of reticulocytes indicate?

    <p>A regenerative bone marrow response to anemia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the features of monocytes?

    <p>They participate in the inflammatory response by migrating into tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of MCHC levels in hemolytic conditions?

    <p>MCHC can be falsely elevated due to intravascular hemolysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of granular lymphocytes indicate?

    <p>An increase in natural killer or T cell activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which assertion about hyperchromic anemias is correct?

    <p>Hyperchromic anemias do not occur as a distinct category.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is commonly seen in reactive lymphocytes?

    <p>They have a basophilic cytoplasm and irregular nuclear shape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which specific characteristic distinguishes microcytic anemia?

    <p>Decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Heinz bodies are indicative of which condition in red blood cells?

    <p>Oxidative damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The presence of which pathogens is linked to dark blue inclusions in red blood cells?

    <p>Babesia species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of inclusion characterizes Cytauxzoon felis in infected red blood cells?

    <p>Signet-ring shaped structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What classification of anemia is primarily linked to disorders in bone marrow?

    <p>Primary erythrocytosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is described by the presence of paired or single RBC inclusions?

    <p>Babesia infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What appearance is indicative of Heinz bodies when viewed under a microscope without staining?

    <p>Small, pale structures at the RBC margins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the appearance of anemic red blood cells due to iron deficiency?

    <p>Small and hypochromic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of echinocytes indicate regarding the condition of red blood cells?

    <p>Artifact from smear preparation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Howell-Jolly bodies in red blood cells are indicative of which condition?

    <p>Suppressed splenic function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Siderotic granules in red blood cells typically indicate what underlying issue?

    <p>Impaired heme synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What abnormality is characterized by the presence of spiculated projections on red blood cells?

    <p>Acanthocytosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario would nucleated red blood cells most likely be found in peripheral circulation?

    <p>Regenerative anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary association of basophilic stippling in red blood cells?

    <p>Lead poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these conditions can contribute to the formation of siderocytes in red blood cells?

    <p>Chloramphenicol exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be suggested if nucleated red blood cells are observed during a blood examination?

    <p>Active regenerative response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition can lead to a falsely low white blood cell (WBC) concentration?

    <p>Splenic contraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is typically associated with neutrophilia in inflammation?

    <p>Left shift of neutrophils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic change associated with neutropenia due to severe inflammation?

    <p>Neutrophil consumption exceeding marrow capacity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option describes a typical scenario accompanying inflammatory conditions?

    <p>Nonregenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition can contribute to irreversible neutropenia?

    <p>Viral infections such as FeLV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor may contribute to the variations in bone marrow response to inflammation across species?

    <p>Species-specific bone marrow reserve capacity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes neutropenia with a left shift when inflammation is present?

    <p>Excessive consumption of neutrophils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a cause of mild increases in packed cell volume (PCV)?

    <p>Excitement or exercise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between Type I and Type II myeloblasts?

    <p>Type I myeloblasts have no azurophilic granules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the true statement regarding promyelocytes based on their cytoplasmic characteristics.

    <p>Promyelocytes contain many azurophilic granules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the cytoplasmic characteristics of myelocytes?

    <p>Myelocytes exhibit no primary granules and have a rounded nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a distinguishing feature of granulocytes compared to other white blood cells?

    <p>They have irregularly shaped nuclei characterized by fine chromatin patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the characteristics of macrophages?

    <p>Their cytoplasm appears gray-blue and often vacuolated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered a primary characteristic of megakaryocytes?

    <p>These cells are very large and have interconnected nuclei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is typical for the maturation sequence of myeloid cells?

    <p>Myeloblasts mature into band neutrophils in a linear sequence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identifying which type of cell may suggest a lymphoproliferative disorder is associated with which cells?

    <p>Lymphoblasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of metarubricytes in terms of their size and cellular content?

    <p>They are smaller than rubricytes and still contain a nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is unique to polychromatophilic erythrocytes when stained with methylene blue?

    <p>They are blue-pink and may contain nuclear remnants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes granulocyte (myeloid) cells?

    <p>They are derived from stem cells and play a role in immune response.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes megakaryocytes from other hematopoietic cells in terms of size?

    <p>They are the largest hematopoietic cells with a distinct maturation process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of acute inflammatory changes, what does a left shift refer to?

    <p>An increase in immature neutrophils in the peripheral blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of transition occurs in the maturation of normoblasts to reticulocytes?

    <p>The complete loss of all cellular organelles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding acute inflammatory consumption?

    <p>It is characterized by the presence of toxic changes in neutrophils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical appearance of erythroblasts transitioning into more mature stages of erythropoiesis?

    <p>Erythroblasts gain a more basophilic staining as they mature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is characteristic of metamyelocytes compared to myelocytes?

    <p>They possess kidney-bean shaped nuclei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinguishing cytological feature of band neutrophils?

    <p>They have horseshoe-shaped nuclei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What indicates that osteoclasts are specialized macrophages?

    <p>They lyse bone tissue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do macrophages typically appear when they accumulate hemosiderin?

    <p>They present with a reddish-brown pigmentation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the maturity sequence of monocytes in the bone marrow?

    <p>Monocytes appear identical in bone marrow and peripheral blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cell type is characterized by having irregularly sized spicules on the surface and is commonly seen in cholestatic liver disease?

    <p>Acanthocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do Howell-Jolly bodies signify in a blood smear?

    <p>Suppressed splenic function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT associated with the formation of echinocytes?

    <p>Chloramphenicol exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition is associated with the presence of basophilic stippling in red blood cells?

    <p>Lead poisoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do siderotic granules in red blood cells indicate?

    <p>Presence of iron granules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of cell abnormality is typically a sign of regenerative anemia?

    <p>Nucleated red blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are siderocytes commonly associated with?

    <p>Myelodysplasia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following cell types remains in circulation with a retained nucleus, often indicating regenerative states?

    <p>Nucleated red blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an increased M:E ratio suggest in a hematological evaluation?

    <p>Increased myeloid cell production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is indicated by disorderly maturation of hematopoietic cells?

    <p>Leukemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical range for the percentage of mature cells, such as metamyelocytes and bands, in a normal sample?

    <p>80% to 90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a decreased M:E ratio imply regarding hematopoietic activity?

    <p>Decreased myeloid cell production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following conditions is NOT typically associated with an increased M:E ratio?

    <p>Increased erythropoiesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cellular characteristic is commonly seen with hemangiosarcoma?

    <p>Acanthocytes and schistocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is associated with reticulocytosis and polychromasia?

    <p>Acute blood loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common finding in chronic blood loss?

    <p>Microcytosis and increased RDW</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eosinophils participate in which type of responses?

    <p>Inflammatory and immune responses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary feature of basophils?

    <p>Containment of histamine and heparin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What morphological feature distinguishes cat eosinophils from other species?

    <p>Rod- or barrel-shaped granules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of anemia is characterized by the presence of spherocytes?

    <p>Hemolytic anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of erythrocyte parasites like Mycoplasma species?

    <p>Attachment to RBC membrane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step to assess neutrophilia in a sick dog?

    <p>Check for left shift in neutrophils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In horses, what is a key factor in determining if anemia is regenerative?

    <p>Bone marrow evaluation results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does lymphopenia in a sick dog typically suggest?

    <p>Possible steroid response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic best distinguishes rubriblasts in the erythroid series?

    <p>Presence of multiple nucleoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What abnormality is indicated by the presence of lymphocytosis in patients?

    <p>Viral infections or leukemias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a lack of a left shift in neutrophils suggest during the evaluation of a sick dog?

    <p>Excitement response may be present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What morphological feature defines a metarubricyte within erythroid cells?

    <p>Round nucleus with gradually condensed chromatin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of neutrophilia, what does the presence of large-diameter lymphocytes indicate?

    <p>Lymphocytic leukemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Plasma Protein Concentration

    • Determined by refractometry
    • Hyperlipemia can falsely increase concentration by 2 g/dL

    Total Leukocyte Concentration

    • Measured using Unopette dilutions or instruments designed for particle counting
    • Detects all nuclei in solution, including nucleated RBCs

    Hemoglobin Concentration

    • An index of RBC mass per unit volume of blood
    • Provides information similar to PCV
    • In most species (except camels), hemoglobin concentration is about a third of the PCV

    Mean Cell Volume (MCV)

    • Reflects RBC size
    • Macrocytic: Suggests increased red cell turnover
      • Some toy poodles, miniature poodles, and greyhounds may have macrocytic RBCs
    • Microcytic: Suggests defective red cell growth
      • Akita and Shiba Inu dogs may have microcytic RBCs
    • Normocytic: Red cell size is unchanged
    • Dogs have the highest MCV values (largest RBCs)
    • Sheep, llamas, and goats have the lowest MCV values (smallest RBCs)

    Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

    • Used to classify anemia

    RBC Morphology

    • Changes in Size:
      • Anisocytosis: Variation in RBC size
      • Microcytic RBCs: Smaller than normal, with decreased MCV
      • Macrocytic RBCs: Larger than normal, with increased MCV
    • Changes in Shape (Poikilocytosis):
      • Poikilocytes: Abnormally shaped RBCs
      • Schistocytes: RBC fragments, usually caused by intravascular trauma
      • Keratocytes: RBCs with two or more spicules
      • Acanthocytes (Spur Cells): Irregular, spiculated RBCs with unevenly distributed surface projections
        • May result from changes in cholesterol or phospholipid concentrations in the RBC membrane
        • Commonly seen in cats with hepatic lipidosis and dogs with hemangiosarcoma
    • Changes in Color:
      • Polychromasia: Presence of young erythrocytes (larger and slightly bluer) - Degree of polychromasia correlates with reticulocyte response
      • Hypochromic RBCs: Pale, with decreased hemoglobin concentration (usually from iron deficiency)
    • Structures in or on RBCs:
      • Heinz bodies: Caused by oxidant damage, denaturation of hemoglobin, appear as small, pale structures near the margin of RBCs (may protrude)
      • Basophilic Stippling: Aggregation of ribosomes into small granules, caused by membrane folding - target cell formation (codocytes)
      • Codocytes: Thin and bowl-shaped with a dense central area of hemoglobin (target appearance) - May be seen in animals with increased serum cholesterol concentrations
      • Stomatocytes: RBCs with a mouthlike clear area in the center - Found in dogs with hereditary stomatocytosis

    Reticulocytes

    • Corrected percentage for a reticulocyte value greater than 1% indicates RBC regeneration
    • Count greater than 60,000 cells/L indicates RBC regeneration
    • Takes at least 3 days for reticulocytes to appear in the circulation
    • Horses do not release reticulocytes

    Rouleau and Agglutination

    • Rouleau: Stacking of RBCs resembling a roll of coins, can occur in normal conditions but may change in response to inflammation
    • Agglutination: Clumping of RBCs, indicates autoimmune hemolytic anemia

    Anemia Types

    • Regenerative: Increased reticulocyte count
    • Nonregenerative: Normal or decreased reticulocyte count
      • Normochromic: Normal MCHC
      • Hypochromic: Decreased MCHC
      • Normocytic: Normal MCV
      • Microcytic: Decreased MCV
      • Macrocytic: Increased MCV

    Bone Marrow Collection

    • Common sites:
      • Large Dogs: Dorsal approach to the iliac crest
      • Small Dogs and Cats:
        • Lateral approach to the wing of the ilium for core biopsies
        • Trochanter fossa of proximal femur for aspiration biopsies
        • Proximal humerus for both aspiration and core biopsies

    Bone Marrow Cells

    • Myeloid Cells:
      • Myeloblasts: 5% of ancestral myeloid cells (AMC)
      • Progranulocytes, Myelocytes: 15% of AMC
      • Metamyelocytes, Bands: 80-85% of AMC
    • Erythroid Cells:
      • Rubriblasts: 5% of ancestral erythroid cells (AEC)
      • Prorubricytes, Rubricytes: 65-75% of AEC
      • Metarubricytes: 20-30% of AEC
    • Megakaryocyte Cells:
      • Maturation sequence: Megakaryoblasts, promegakaryocytes, megakaryocytes
      • Megakaryoblasts are larger than any other types of precursors
    • Other Cells:
      • Macrophages: Usually present in small numbers, increased numbers may indicate immune-mediated disorders
    • Myeloid:Erythroid (M:E) Ratio:
      • Approximately 0.5:1 to 3:1
      • Hemodiluted samples are difficult to evaluate

    Cytochemistry and Immunophenotyping

    • Provide additional information for bone marrow analysis

    Red Blood Cell Morphology

    • Spherocytes: Dark-staining RBCs without central pallor. Most easily identified in dogs. Suggest immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
    • Eccentrocytes: Hemoglobin shifted to one side, clear eccentric zone. Indicate oxidative damage and may occur with Heinz bodies.
    • Leptocytes: Excess membrane relative to internal contents, may occur in vitro with excess EDTA.
    • Rouleaux Formation: Stacking of RBCs, normal in horses, enhanced with increased plasma protein concentration
    • Agglutination: Clumps of RBCs, associated with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia

    Leukocytes

    • Neutrophils: Contain small granules in cytoplasm that stain differently in different species
    • Lymphocytes: Responsible for immune responses, have a round to oval nucleus with minimal clear cytoplasm
    • Monocytes: Participate in inflammation, migrate into tissues and develop

    Anemia

    • Hypochromic Anemia: RBCs contain less hemoglobin than normal (decreased MCHC)
    • Normochromic Anemia: RBCs contain a normal amount of hemoglobin (normal MCHC)
    • Hyperchromic Anemia: Does not occur, MCHC can be falsely elevated with intravascular hemolysis

    Anemia Responsiveness

    • Regenerative Anemia: Increased number of immature RBCs circulating, indicating increased RBC production. Reticulocyte count greater than 60,000 cells/L
    • Nonregenerative Anemia: No increase in immature RBCs, indicates lack of bone marrow response

    Bone Marrow Evaluation

    • Indications: Nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, gammopathies, possible neoplastic marrow disease.
    • Horses: Useful for determining if anemia is regenerative because horses don't release reticulocytes
    • Sites: Ilium, ribs, sternum in horses, cattle, camelids.
    • Erythroid Cells: Round nuclei, moderate to deep blue cytoplasm, pinker as hemoglobin is produced
    • Erythroid Cell Maturation: Rubriblast -> prorubricyte -> rubricyte -> metarubricyte -> polychromatophilic erythrocyte -> mature erythrocyte
    • Other Cell Types: Macrophages, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, mast cells
    • Interpretation:
      • 50% cells and 50% fat is normal
      • Decreased M:E ratio suggests increased RBC production, decreased neutrophils, or both
      • Increased M:E ratio suggests increased myeloid cell production, decreased RBC production, or both

    Neutrophilia

    • Left Shift: Presence of immature neutrophils (bands, metamyelocytes, myelocytes) indicates inflammation
    • No Left Shift: Consider lymphopenia, indicating a steroid response, possibly combined with inflammation
    • Normal or Increased Lymphocytes: Consider excitement response

    Lymphocytosis

    • Excitement Response: Lymphocytes appear normal
    • Lymphocytic Leukemia: Abnormal morphology, including large diameter and light staining nucleus, visible nucleoli, increased cytoplasm
    • Chronic Canine Ehrlichiosis: Secondary granules present, eosinophilic precursors have pink granules, basophilic precursors have purple granules

    Monocyte Cells

    • Difficult to Distinguish: From Myeloid Series, monocyte cells have irregular nuclear outlines
    • Maturation Sequence: Monoblasts -> promonocytes -> monocytes
    • Bone Marrow Appearance: Same as peripheral blood. Precursors are difficult to identify.

    Acanthocytes

    • Blood smear from a dog with cholestatic liver disease
    • Irregularly sized spicules

    Erythrocyte Inclusions

    • Associated with immature RBCs in ruminants
    • Lead poisoning often causes basophilic stippling
    • Nucleated RBCs are an indication of regenerative anemia, a nonfunctioning spleen, or steroids (endogenous or exogenous)
    • Howell-Jolly bodies are nuclear remnants in RBCs
    • Siderotic granules are visible iron granules in RBCs (siderocytes)

    Anemia

    • Microcytic Anemia
      • RBCs are small (decreased MCV)
      • Usually because of iron deficiency
      • Can be caused by portocaval shunts
    • Macrocytic Anemia
      • RBCs are large (increased MCV)
      • Usually due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
      • Can be caused by liver disease

    Polycythemia

    • Secondary Polycythemia
      • Generalized hypoxia
      • Increased erythropoietin production
    • Primary Polycythemia
      • Bone marrow disorder
      • Cells appear normal, and maturation process is normal

    Leukocyte Responses

    • Falsely Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Concentration
      • May cause a mild increase in PCV (not greater than 60%)
      • Causes a mild increase in PCV (not greater than 60%)
    • Lymphocyte Vacuolation
      • May occur after ingestion of swainsonine (locoweed ingestion in horses or cattle)
      • It also occurs in lysosomal storage diseases

    Response to Inflammation

    • Increased demand for leukocytes as a result of consumption
    • Bone marrow should respond by releasing more leukocytes and increasing production
    • Most inflammation is associated with some degree of neutrophilia
    • Severity of inflammation can be predicted by the degree of left shift and the toxic changes present
    • Neutropenia with left shift may occur when the consumption of neutrophils by the inflammatory process exceeds the bone marrow's capacity to produce neutrophils
    • Species variation in the amount of bone marrow reserve to respond to inflammation

    Neutropenia

    • Reversible Neutropenia
      • Typically accompanied by nonregenerative anemia and thrombocytopenia
      • Causes include chemotherapeutic agents, other drugs such as estrogen or phenylbutazone in dogs, and ehrlichiosis
    • Irreversible Neutropenia
      • Causes include feline leukemia virus (FeLV), hypoproliferative disorders, myelodysplasias, and myeloproliferative disorders

    Bone Marrow Cells

    • Erythrocyte Precursors
      • Prorubricytes - Largest of the erythrocyte precursors - Nucleus is round to oval with a fine chromatin pattern and nucleoli that are visible - Cytoplasm is blue-gray
      • Rubricytes - Can still undergo mitosis - Smaller than prorubricytes - Very coarse chromatin - Polychromatophilic cytoplasm
      • Metarubricytes - Still contain a nucleus - Smaller than rubricytes - Polychromatophilic cytoplasm
      • Polychromatophilic erythrocytes - Do not contain a nucleus - Blue-pink - May contain nuclear remnants (Howell-Jolly bodies) - When stained with methylene blue and reticulum is visible, they are termed reticulocytes
    • Granulocyte (Myeloid) Cells
      • Granulocytes - Irregularly shaped nuclei with fine chromatin patterns and lavender cytoplasm
      • Maturation Sequence - Myeloblast, promyelocyte, myelocyte, metamyelocyte, band neutrophil, segmented neutrophil
      • Type I myeloblasts - Most immature - Round to oval nucleus - Nucleoli - Small amount of blue-staining cytoplasm - No azurophilic granules - Cytoplasm has a ground glass appearance and may contain small vacuoles
      • Type II myeloblasts - Contain a few azurophilic granules (primary granules) in the cytoplasm - Otherwise appear similar to type I myeloblasts
      • Promyelocytes - Many azurophilic granules in the cytoplasm - Nucleus is central to eccentric - Nucleoli are present
      • Myelocytes - Can still undergo mitosis - Smaller than promyelocytes - Light blue cytoplasm - No primary granules - Nuclei are round to oval
    • Megakaryocyte Cells
      • Derived from stem cells
      • Maturation Sequence - Megakaryoblasts, promegakaryocytes, megakaryocytes
      • Megakaryoblasts - Larger than any other types of precursors
      • Promegakaryocytes - Two to four nuclei with a deep blue cytoplasm
      • Megakaryocytes - Very large - Numerous nuclei that are connected - Cytoplasm becomes granular and is sometimes light pink
    • Other Cells
      • Lymphocytes - Appear as they do in the peripheral circulation
      • Plasma Cells - Differentiated lymphocytes that produce immunoglobulin - Look similar to rubricytes, but the cytoplasm is more abundant in plasma cells and they have a clear perinuclear Golgi zone
      • Lymphoblasts - Rare - May indicate a lymphoproliferative disorder
      • Macrophages - Derived from monocytes - In low numbers in bone marrow - Cytoplasm is usually vacuolated, is gray-blue, and may contain small pink granules

    Bone Marrow Collection Sites

    • Dogs
      • Dorsal approach to the iliac crest
      • Lateral approach to the wing of the ilium
      • Trochanter fossa of proximal femur
      • Proximal humerus
    • Cats
      • Lateral approach to the wing of the ilium
      • Trochanter fossa of proximal femur
      • Proximal humerus

    Erythrocyte Morphology

    • Acanthocytes have irregularly sized spicules, are commonly seen in cholostatic liver disease, and are also seen with hemangiosarcoma
    • Echinocytes (burr cells) have evenly distributed blunt to sharp surface projections
      • May be an artifact from slow drying of a blood smear
      • Seen in renal disease, lymphoma, rattlesnake envenomation, and when RBCs are engulfed by macrophages
    • Commonly Misidentified Cells
      • Spherocytes are characterized by a lack of central pallor
      • Schistocytes are fragmented RBCs
      • Basophilic Stippling is associated with immature RBCs in ruminants and lead poisoning
    • Nucleated RBCs are RBCs in the circulation that have retained their nucleus
      • Indicate regenerative anemia, a nonfunctioning spleen, or steroid use (endogenous or exogenous)
    • Howell-Jolly Bodies are nuclear remnants in RBCs that appear as dark staining, round inclusions, and are associated with regenerative anemia or suppressed splenic function
    • Siderotic Granules are visible iron granules in RBCs (siderocytes), associated with chloramphenicol, myelodysplasia, and impaired heme synthesis

    Anemia

    • Acute Blood Loss
      • Acanthocytes, schistocytes, reticulocytosis, polychromasia, and thrombocytopenia are commonly present
    • Chronic Blood Loss
      • Iron deficiency anemia
      • Decreased MCV (microcytosis), increased RDW, MCHC usually normal
      • Keratocytes and schistocytes are common
    • Blood Destruction
      • Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
      • Neonatal isoerythrolysis
      • Erythrocyte parasites
        • Mycoplasma: haemofelis (cats), haemocanis (dogs), wenyonii (cattle), haemosuiss (swine), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae (llamas and alpacas)
        • Anaplasma marginale (cattle)
      • Spherocytes are common

    Bone Marrow

    • Bone Marrow Aspirate sites:
      • Dogs and cats: Femur, humerus, or iliac crest
      • Horses, cattle, camelids: Ilium, ribs, or sternum
    • Indications: Nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, gammopathies, and possible neoplastic marrow disease
    • Horses: Bone marrow evaluation is essential to determine if anemia is regenerative

    Erythroid Cells

    • Erythroid cells have round nuclei and moderate to deep blue cytoplasm that becomes pinker as hemoglobin is produced
    • Maturation sequence (immature to mature): Rubriblast, prorubricyte, rubricyte, metarubricyte, polychromatophilic erythrocyte, mature erythrocyte, and polychromasia
    • Rubriblasts are large with round nuclei, slightly coarse chromatin, and nucleoli. Little cytoplasm that stains deep blue
    • Prorubricytes lack nucleoli, are smaller than rubriblasts, and have a little more cytoplasm
    • Metarubricytes have condensed, darkly stained nuclei and a small rim of cytoplasm
    • Polychromatophilic Erythrocytes have a thin, well-defined rim of blue cytoplasm, a centrally placed, round nucleus, and less chromatin than a metarubricyte
    • Mature Erythrocytes are fully hemoglobinized and lack a nucleus. They have a central pallor

    Other Bone Marrow Cells

    • Myeloid Cells (derived from stem cells)
      • Difficult to distinguish from monocyte cells
      • Maturation sequence (immature to mature): Myeloblasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, band neutrophils, segmented neutrophils
      • Myeloblasts are the largest of the myeloid cells
      • Promyelocytes are larger than myelocytes and have a nucleus that is round, oval, or bean-shaped. They contain primary granules
      • Myelocytes have round, oval, or kidney-bean-shaped nuclei. They contain secondary granules
      • Metamyelocytes have kidney-bean–shaped nuclei, and are smaller than myelocytes
      • Band neutrophils have horseshoe-shaped nuclei, with cytoplasm similar to segmented neutrophils
      • Segment Neutrophils have a segmented nucleus with 3-5 lobes.
    • Macrophages phagocytize debris and often contain hemosiderin
    • Osteoblasts appear similar to plasma cells, but are larger.
    • Osteoclasts are specialized macrophages that lyse bone, and have a similar appearance to megakaryocytes, but have individual nuclei.
    • Mast Cells are rare, large round cells with numerous metachromatic granules within the cytoplasm

    Interpretation

    • Cellularity: Normally marrow is about 50% cells and 50% fat
      • Decreased M:E Ratio is associated with increased RBC production or decreased neutrophil production
      • Increased M:E Ratio is associated with increased myeloid cell production or decreased RBC production
    • Maturation: Approximately 80% to 90% of the cells should be more mature cells (metamyelocytes, bands, neutrophils; rubricytes, metarubricytes)
      • Disorderly maturation can be seen with leukemia, myeloid hyperplasia, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or marked inflammation

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    Description

    This quiz explores key concepts in veterinary hematology, focusing on the determination of plasma protein concentration, leukocyte counting methods, hemoglobin levels, and mean cell volume in various species. Understand how these factors can indicate health conditions in animals, especially in regards to red blood cell characteristics.

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