From your school biology course, you probably remember that erythrocytes are red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in our body. These little bodies, as a rule, have a round shape, and to be more precise, a biconcave one. However, an analysis performed in a laboratory can reveal mutated red blood cells (oval, sickle-shaped, or pear-shaped) in a person's blood. The change in the correct shape of blood cells is called "poikilocytosis". What it is? We'll tell you now.
General information
Poikilocytosis is a blood disease in which erythrocytes of a modified form do not carry oxygen well to the tissues of the body. Most often, this disease occurs in people suffering from any form of anemia.
"Poikilocytosis - what is it?" - this question is of interest to all those who are faced with this disease. It must be understood that part of the irregularly shaped erythrocytes can still be returned to the correct state. These are echinocytes and stomatocytes. The rest of the pathological forms (acanthocytes, drepanocytes, codocytes, dacryocytes, etc.) are irreversible.
Poikilocytosis in the general blood test. Varieties and forms
So, a blood disease associated with a malfunction of erythrocytes has been called "poikilocytosis". What it is is now clear. But there are a lot of pathological forms of erythrocytes. Let's take a closer look at the main ones.
- Echinocytes are spherical cells with multiple outgrowths. Most often they appear in the tests of people suffering from uremia.
- Stomatocytes are red blood cells, convex on one side and concave on the other. The presence of these cells is observed mainly in patients with a hereditary form of stomatocytosis. Another name for stomatocytes is hydrocytes.
- Acanthocytes are spur-shaped cells with spike-like processes protruding on the surface. Poikilocytosis of erythrocytes in acanthocyte form is observed in neuroacanthocytosis and abetalipoproteinemia.
- Drepanocytes are sickle-shaped cells containing hemoglobin S, which can polymerize and deform the membrane in the absence of oxygen in the blood.
- Codocytes are target cells with an increased surface area due to excess cholesterol in them. Poikilocytosis in the general blood test in this form occurs with hemoglobinopathies C and S, prolonged jaundice and lead intoxication.
- Dacryocytes are tear-like cells resembling drops in shape. Most often, these modified red blood cells are detected in people suffering from toxic hepatitis, with severe iron deficiency, myelofibrosis.
- Microspherocytes are specific cells,the definition of which requires special care. They have a spherical shape of great thickness, but small diameter. This type of red blood cell is common in patients with hemolytic anemia.
- Elliptocytes are oval red blood cells that are also found in he althy people. The number of these cells in human blood should not exceed 8-10%. If the norm is exceeded, one should talk about various forms of anemia or hereditary elliptocytosis.
RBC color changes in poikilocytosis
The most common form of altered coloration of erythrocytes is hypochromia, characterized by a wide, unstained center of the cell. This happens due to low saturation of red blood cells with Hb.
The opposite is hyperchromia. This phenomenon is associated with a high saturation of the erythrocyte with Hb. This pathological form occurs less frequently and is most often associated with a lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the body.
Polychromatophilia is the detection of grayish red blood cells in the blood. Most often, such blood cells are observed in patients with hemolytic anemia.
Inclusions in erythrocytes
Poikilocytosis in the blood is manifested not only in changes in the shape of erythrocytes and their shades, but also in the detection of elements of pathological bone marrow regeneration in the cells.
- Jolly bodies are a small number (usually 1-3) of small purple-red inclusions. Their presence is the norm in the blood of newborns. In a he althy person, these inclusions should not be detected.
- RingsKebota is the remnants of the shell of the nucleus of the megaloblast, staining red.
- Basophilic granularity is a blue granular substance associated with lead poisoning, megaloblastic anemia and thalassemia.
- Heinz-Ehrlich bodies are inclusions that form from denatured Hb. The detection of these pathological forms is a sign of possible hemolysis.
Degree of manifestation
The degree of detected poikilocytosis in a patient is reflected in numbers or pluses. Let's take a closer look:
- 1 or (+) - a slight degree of the disease. 25% of red blood cells differ in size from he althy cells.
- 2 or (++) - moderate poikilocytosis. 50% of blood cells are not normal in size. Treatment should begin immediately.
- 3 or (+++) - pronounced poikilocytosis, in which up to 75% of red blood cells are damaged.
- 4 or (++++) is an acute form of the disease. All red blood cells are unhe althy.
We hope that in this article you have found the answer to the question: "Poikilocytosis - what is it?" - and learned about the reasons for its occurrence.
