A CBCD is ran on the DXH900 for a patient with Beta Thalassemia. Numerous nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are detected which interfere with the automated differential, producing ‘R’ flags. This interference can be seen in the 5PD1 scatterplot. Because of the presence of NRBCs and flags on the automated differential, a manual differential must be performed. Out of a 100 cell count differential, 105 NRBCs are noted.
The patient also has a microcytic anemia with a hemoglobin of 8.4. The following morphology is noted when performing the slide review:
- Hypochromasia, Microcytosis, & Anisocytosis
- Moderate Polychromasia
- Target Cells 3+
- Acanthocytes 2+
- Schistocytes 1+
- Spherocytes 1+
- Basophilic Stippling 2+
(Click on a morphology to learn more!)
Look at the images from the slide below and try to find all the different red blood cell morphologies.
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