Elliptocyte

Last updated • 1 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Cigar cells in elliptocytosis
Elliptocytosis.jpg
Blood smear showing elliptocytes
Specialty Hematology
blood film in a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis: approximately 60% to 70% of the RBCs are elliptocytes. Hereditary Elliptocytosis in a 70-year-old man.tif
blood film in a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis: approximately 60% to 70% of the RBCs are elliptocytes.
Elliptocyte compared to other forms of poikilocytosis. Poikilocytes - Red blood cell types.jpg
Elliptocyte compared to other forms of poikilocytosis.

Elliptocytes, also known as ovalocytes or cigar cells, are abnormally shaped red blood cells that appear oval or elongated, from slightly egg-shaped to rod or pencil forms. They have normal central pallor with the hemoglobin appearing concentrated at the ends of the elongated cells when viewed through a light microscope. The ends of the cells are blunt and not sharp like sickle cells. [1]

Elliptocytes are commonly associated with hereditary elliptocytosis. However, they may also be seen in iron deficiency anemia, sepsis, malaria and other pathological states that decrease red blood cell turnover and or production. [2] In the case of iron deficiency anemia, microcytosis and hypochromia would also be expected. [3]

Causes

Rare elliptocytes (less than 1%) on a peripheral blood smear are a normal finding.[ citation needed ]

These abnormal red blood cells are seen in higher numbers in the blood films of patients with blood disorders such as: [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemolysis</span> Rupturing of red blood cells and release of their contents

Hemolysis or haemolysis, also known by several other names, is the rupturing (lysis) of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the release of their contents (cytoplasm) into surrounding fluid. Hemolysis may occur in vivo or in vitro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anemia</span> Medical condition

Anemia or anaemia is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin or hemoglobin abnormalities. The name is derived from Ancient Greek: ἀναιμία anaimia, meaning 'lack of blood', from ἀν- an-, 'not' and αἷμα haima, 'blood'. When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague, such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and a reduced ability to exercise. When anemia is acute, symptoms may include confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out, loss of consciousness, and increased thirst. Anemia must be significant before a person becomes noticeably pale. Symptoms of anemia depend on how quickly hemoglobin decreases. Additional symptoms may occur depending on the underlying cause. Preoperative anemia can increase the risk of needing a blood transfusion following surgery. Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spherocytosis</span> Medical condition

Spherocytosis is the presence of spherocytes in the blood, i.e. erythrocytes that are sphere-shaped rather than bi-concave disk shaped as normal. Spherocytes are found in all hemolytic anemias to some degree. Hereditary spherocytosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia are characterized by having only spherocytes.

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a microangiopathic subgroup of hemolytic anemia caused by factors in the small blood vessels. It is identified by the finding of anemia and schistocytes on microscopy of the blood film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereditary spherocytosis</span> Medical condition

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a congenital hemolytic disorder, wherein a genetic mutation coding for a structural membrane protein phenotype leads to a spherical shaping of erythrocytic cellular morphology. As erythrocytes are sphere-shaped (spherocytosis), rather than the normal biconcave disk-shaped, their morphology interferes with these cells' abilities to be flexible during circulation throughout the entirety of the body - arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins, and organs. This difference in shape also makes the red blood cells more prone to rupture under osmotic and/or mechanical stress. Cells with these dysfunctional proteins are degraded in the spleen, which leads to a shortage of erythrocytes resulting in hemolytic anemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pernicious anemia</span> Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency

Pernicious anemia is a disease in which not enough red blood cells are produced due to a deficiency of vitamin B12. Those affected often have a gradual onset. The most common initial symptoms are feeling tired and weak. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, feeling faint, a smooth red tongue, pale skin, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, numbness in the hands and feet, difficulty walking, memory loss, muscle weakness, poor reflexes, blurred vision, clumsiness, depression, and confusion. Without treatment, some of these problems may become permanent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemolytic anemia</span> Medical condition

Hemolytic anemia or haemolytic anaemia is a form of anemia due to hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs), either in the blood vessels or elsewhere in the human body (extravascular). This most commonly occurs within the spleen, but also can occur in the reticuloendothelial system or mechanically. Hemolytic anemia accounts for 5% of all existing anemias. It has numerous possible consequences, ranging from general symptoms to life-threatening systemic effects. The general classification of hemolytic anemia is either intrinsic or extrinsic. Treatment depends on the type and cause of the hemolytic anemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megaloblastic anemia</span> Medical condition

Megaloblastic anemia is a type of macrocytic anemia. An anemia is a red blood cell defect that can lead to an undersupply of oxygen. Megaloblastic anemia results from inhibition of DNA synthesis during red blood cell production. When DNA synthesis is impaired, the cell cycle cannot progress from the G2 growth stage to the mitosis (M) stage. This leads to continuing cell growth without division, which presents as macrocytosis. Megaloblastic anemia has a rather slow onset, especially when compared to that of other anemias. The defect in red cell DNA synthesis is most often due to hypovitaminosis, specifically vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency. Loss of micronutrients may also be a cause.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microcytic anemia</span> Medical condition

Microcytic anaemia is any of several types of anemia characterized by smaller than normal red blood cells. The normal mean corpuscular volume is approximately 80–100 fL. When the MCV is <80 fL, the red cells are described as microcytic and when >100 fL, macrocytic. The MCV is the average red blood cell size.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poikilocytosis</span> Medical condition

Poikilocytosis is variation in the shapes of red blood cells. Poikilocytes may be oval, teardrop-shaped, sickle-shaped or irregularly contracted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sideroblastic anemia</span> Medical condition

Sideroblastic anemia, or sideroachrestic anemia, is a form of anemia in which the bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts rather than healthy red blood cells (erythrocytes). In sideroblastic anemia, the body has iron available but cannot incorporate it into hemoglobin, which red blood cells need in order to transport oxygen efficiently. The disorder may be caused either by a genetic disorder or indirectly as part of myelodysplastic syndrome, which can develop into hematological malignancies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Codocyte</span> Type of red blood cell

Codocytes, also known as target cells, are red blood cells that have the appearance of a shooting target with a bullseye. In optical microscopy these cells appear to have a dark center surrounded by a white ring, followed by dark outer (peripheral) second ring containing a band of hemoglobin. However, in electron microscopy they appear very thin and bell shaped. Because of their thinness they are referred to as leptocytes. On routine smear morphology, some people like to make a distinction between leptocytes and codocytes- suggesting that in leptocytes the central spot is not completely detached from the peripheral ring, i.e. the pallor is in a C shape rather than a full ring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereditary elliptocytosis</span> Medical condition

Hereditary elliptocytosis, also known as ovalocytosis, is an inherited blood disorder in which an abnormally large number of the person's red blood cells are elliptical rather than the typical biconcave disc shape. Such morphologically distinctive erythrocytes are sometimes referred to as elliptocytes or ovalocytes. It is one of many red-cell membrane defects. In its severe forms, this disorder predisposes to haemolytic anaemia. Although pathological in humans, elliptocytosis is normal in camelids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemosiderin</span> Iron-storage complex

Hemosiderin or haemosiderin is an iron-storage complex that is composed of partially digested ferritin and lysosomes. The breakdown of heme gives rise to biliverdin and iron. The body then traps the released iron and stores it as hemosiderin in tissues. Hemosiderin is also generated from the abnormal metabolic pathway of ferritin.

Southeast Asian ovalocytosis is a blood disorder that is similar to, but distinct from hereditary elliptocytosis. It is common in some communities in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, as it confers some resistance to cerebral Falciparum Malaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis</span> Medical condition

Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) is an autosomal recessive form of hemolytic anemia characterized by an abnormal sensitivity of red blood cells to heat and erythrocyte morphology similar to that seen in thermal burns or from prolonged exposure of a healthy patient's blood sample to high ambient temperatures. Patients with HPP tend to experience severe hemolysis and anemia in infancy that gradually improves, evolving toward typical elliptocytosis later in life. However, the hemolysis can lead to rapid sequestration and destruction of red cells. Splenectomy is curative when this occurs.

Normocytic anemia is a type of anemia and is a common issue that occurs for men and women typically over 85 years old. Its prevalence increases with age, reaching 44 percent in men older than 85 years. The most common type of normocytic anemia is anemia of chronic disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nucleated red blood cell</span> Red blood cell with a cell nucleus

A nucleated red blood cell (NRBC), also known by several other names, is a red blood cell that contains a cell nucleus. Almost all vertebrate organisms have hemoglobin-containing cells in their blood, and with the exception of mammals, all of these red blood cells are nucleated. In mammals, NRBCs occur in normal development as precursors to mature red blood cells in erythropoiesis, the process by which the body produces red blood cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyserythropoiesis</span> Medical condition

Dyserythropoiesis refers to the defective development of red blood cells, also called erythrocytes. This problem can be congenital, acquired, or inherited. Some red blood cells may be destroyed within the bone marrow during the maturation process, whereas others can enter the circulation with abnormalities. These abnormalities can be functional and/or morphological, which can lead to anemia since there may be increased turnover of red blood cells. There are a number of diseases that cause dyserythropoiesis. Congenital/inherited causes include congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, thalassemia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, hereditary pyropoikilocytosis, and abetalipoproteinemia. Acquired causes include nutrient deficiency/malnutrition, myelodysplasia, HIV infection, and certain medications.

References

  1. "Ovalocytes/Elliptocytes - LabCE.com, Laboratory Continuing Education". www.labce.com. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  2. Clinical hematology and oncology : presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Bruce Furie. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone. 2003. pp. 276–278. ISBN   0-443-06556-X. OCLC   51582525.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Robbins & Cotran pathologic basis of disease. Vinay Kumar, Abul K. Abbas, Jon C. Aster, James A. Perkins (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA. 2021. ISBN   978-0-323-53113-9. OCLC   1191840836.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Hirschmann, Douglas C. Tkachuk (2007). Wintrobe's atlas of clinical hematology. Philadelphia, PA [etc.]: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN   978-0781770231.