Reticulocyte
(Polychromatophilic Red Cell)
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa, 1000x
Description:
A macrocytic red cell recently released from the bone marrow (young red cell) that has a grey-blue color and absent central palor.
Pathobiology:
The grey-blue color is due to residual ribosomal material in the cytoplasm.
Differential diagnosis:
- Normal peripheral blood smear (small numbers)
- Increased rate of red cell production
- Hemolytic anemias
- Bone marrow recovery from toxic insults (chemotherapy), deficiency states (iron, Vitamin B-12 or folate), and recent hemorrage
- Erythropoietin therapy
- Hypoxia
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Charles
E.
Hess,
M.D.,FACP [more information]
Professor of Internal Medicine
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