University of Virginia Health System

  Macrotarget Cell

Bone marrow aspirate smear, Wright-Giemsa stain, 1000x

Definition:

A macrocyte with a target appearance.

Pathobiology:

Due to an increase in the erythrocyte surface area relative to cell volume. The increase in surface area is due to an increase in lipid content of the red cell membrane, mostly cholesterol but also phospholipid.

Differential diagnosis:

• Asplenia and hyposplenia
• Liver disease- The target cell seen in liver disease is one of two thin macrocytes (leptocytes, wafer cells) seen in liver disease. The other has an enlarged area of central palor. Acanthocytes (spurr cells) and stomatocytes may also be seen.

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