Treatment of Warm Antibody Type Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (WAIHA)

20 Feb 201820 Feb 2018

Warm antibody type of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (WAIHA) is characterised by anaemia, reticulocytosis, conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia with the presence of a positive anti-globulin (Coombs') test (see Diagnosis of haemolytic anaemia). It may…

Evaluation of Splenomegaly

17 May 201717 May 2017

The spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ that lies in intraperitoneally in the left hypochondrium, abuting the diaphragm. It spans from the 9th to 11th rib and weighs between 150-200g. Spleen…

Evolution and Spread of HbS

20 Jun 201620 Jun 2016

The gene for β globin (OMIM  is present on chromosome 11 (11p15.4) along with other globin genes (ε, γ, γ and δ). This is known as the β-globin cluster .…

Anaemia with Hyperbilirubinaemia

8 Jun 201610 Jun 2016

A 49-year-old female presented with dyspnoea on exertion of 1 month duration. Examination reviled pallor and icterus. There was no lymphadenopathy, clubbing, koilonychia, platonychia, petechiae or purpura. There was no oedema…

The Erythrocyte Membrane

4 Feb 201411 Oct 2017

Compared to other cells of the body the erythrocyte, consistent with its simple functional requirements, has a simple structure. The erythrocyte delivers oxygen to tissue and aids in carriage of…

Sickle Cells

24 Aug 201331 Aug 2013

Sickle Cells 40X Sickle Cells - 100X Sickle Cells - 100X The three photomicrographs above show sickle cells from a patients with sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anaemia occurs because…

Erythrocyte Metabolism

6 Aug 20137 Aug 2013

As erythrocytes lack mitochondria they are not able to use fats or generate energy from Krebs cycle. Though they have enzymes to synthesize glycogen the balance between synthesis and breakdown…

Diagnosis of Haemolytic Anaemia

23 Nov 201130 Aug 2013

Haemolysis is decreased erythrocytes lifespan (normal about 100-120 days). The bone marrow responds to haemolysis by increasing erythrocyte production. Anaemia occurs only when the erythrocyte life span is reduced to…

The Reticulocyte Count

10 Oct 201110 Jun 2016

Anaemia induces production of erythropoietin which promotes differentiation of the hemopoietic stem cell along the erythroid lineage. With maturation, the erythroid precursors shrink in size, loose nucleus and haemoglobinize (see…

Pappenheimer Bodies

2 Oct 20112 Oct 2011

Described by Pappenheimer in 1945, the Pappenheimer bodies are basophilic erythrocytic inclusions that are usually located at the periphery of the cell. They contain iron and stain with Prussian blue.…