Spherocyte
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa stain, 1000x
Description:
Spherical-shaped and hyperchromic red cell with loss of central palor, an increase in MCHC, and a low normal MCV. Microspherocytes have a decreased MCV. A variable degree of polychromatophilia (reticulocytosis) is usually present.
Pathobiology:
Due to a loss of red cell membrane without an equal loss of hemoglobin as a result of several mechanisms.
Differential:
- Increased rate of red cell destruction
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (idiopathic, secondary, drug-induced)
- Heinz body hemolytic anemia
- Hemolytic transfusion reactions
- Oxidative damage to red cell, e.g. G-6PD deficiency
- Toxins, e.g. Clostridium perfringens, snake venoms
- Sepsis
- Severe burns
- Water intoxication
- Rh null phenotype (stomatocytes also seen)
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Charles
E.
Hess,
M.D.,FACP [more information]
Professor of Internal Medicine
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