TodAy's VeTerinAry PrAcTice | July/August 2015 | tvpjournal.com
in-cLinic HeMAToLoGy Peer reviewed
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Ghost cells are observed with intravascular
hemolysis. These cytoplasm-free membranes are
more rarely seen as artifacts (Figure 10).
Acanthocytes, red cells with irregular projections,
are associated with many underlying conditions,
including metabolic derangements, vascular
abnormalities (eg, hemangiosarcoma), and liver
disease (Figure 9).
Echinocytes are often associated with drying
artifact or electrolyte abnormalities. These cells have
numerous, even sharp, cytoplasmic projections.
They may be present in large numbers, but are not
critical from a diagnostic perspective (Figure 7).
Nucleated RBC precursors are released from
the marrow as part of a regenerative process, but
may also signal endothelial damage (ie, sepsis,
thermal), lead toxicity, architectural disruption of
hematopoietic organs (eg, spleen), or hematopoietic
neoplasia (Figure 11). Large numbers—in the
FIGURE 11. A single metarubricyte (arrow)
and reactive lymphocyte (arrowhead); the
metarubricyte has much darker and compact
chromatin than the lymphocyte. Wright-Giemsa
stain; magnifcation, 1000×.
FIGURE 10. Two ghost cells (arrowheads) and
numerous spherocytes are revealed in a patient
with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia;
polychromasia is also present. Wright's-Giemsa
stain; magnifcation, 1000×.
FIGURE 8. Eccentrocytes (arrows) present in
a patient with acetaminophen toxicity. Wright-
Giemsa stain; magnifcation, 1000×.
FIGURE 9. Schistocytes ( arrows ) and
acanthocytes ( arrowheads ), along with
2 Howell-Jolly bodies, which are circular,
basophilic inclusions. Wright-Giemsa stain;
magnifcation, 1000×.
FIGURE 12. Numerous small, basophilic,
Mycoplasma organisms (black arrows) on the
periphery of RBCs and free in the background;
a single Howell-Jolly body (arrowhead) is
also present, which is much larger and more
basophilic than Mycoplasma organisms. Note the
single polychromatophil (white arrow) and ghost
cell. Wright's-Giemsa stain; magnifcation, 1000×.