Hematology

Automated hematologic analyzers (electrical impedance- or laser-based) can measure platelet volume (MPV), just like they can measure red blood cell volume (MCV). The MPV can be useful for  distinguishing between causes of thrombocytopenia (just like the MCV can provide guidance as to causes of anemia), but should never be used in isolation. During active thrombopoiesis, […]

Other hematopoietic-derived leukocytes that are not normally seen in blood include histiocytes (a global term applied to either dendritic cells or macrophages) an mast cells. Histiocytes Histiocytes is an umbrella term comprising monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells. All of these cells are derived from a common myeloid progenitor in the bone marrow and are antigen-presenting

A left shift indicates the presence of immature neutrophils in blood and usually, but not always, indicates an inflammatory leukogram (see related links for the historical origin of this term). Immature neutrophils are usually band neutrophils, but earlier forms can be seen. A few to no band neutrophils are seen in the blood of clinically healthy animals we

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an index of the variation in cell volume within the red blood cell population. It is a result provided by automated hematology analyzers and is the electronic equivalent of anisocytosis or variation in red blood cell size that is judged by smear examination. Mathematically, it is the

MCHC The MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) is the mean hemoglobin concentration or content of hemoglobin per unit volume (weight/volume or g/dL) in red blood cells (RBC). Alternatively, it can be thought of the percentage of the RBC that consists of hemoglobin. It is a calculated value, obtained by dividing the hemoglobin, as measured spectrophotometrically

Hematocrit (HCT) and packed cell volume (PCV) are used to measure red blood cell mass. An increase in red blood cell mass is equivalent to erythrocytosis and a decrease indicates an anemia. Because HCT and PCV are affected by changes in water, the HCT and PCV may be high due to water losses in a dehydrated

Ehrlichia species are intracellular bacteria that are within the family of Anaplasmataceae of the order Rickettsiales. The family of Anaplasmataceae now includes the genera of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Neoricketssia, after renaming of organisms (notably Ehrlichia equi and Ehrlicia platys as Anaplasma sp.) and reclassification in 2001 based on 16S RNA and groESL gene sequences in the bacteria  (Allison and Little, 2013). The names of some species,

At Cornell University, we generally distinguish three different main types of leukemia: Acute leukemia, chronic leukemia and lymphoma with a leukemic phase. We use a combination of clinical signs, hematologic findings and immunophenotyping/cytochemical results for distinguishing between the types of leukemia (see algorithm). We have also provided this information in an introductory instructional video. Acute

There are several diagnostic techniques that should be used as adjunctive tests to differentiate between different types of acute leukemia (lymphoid and myeloid, i.e. immunophenotyping and cytochemical staining), lymphoma from an acute leukemia (combination of clinical signs and laboratory results), or reactive from neoplastic conditions, e.g. chronic lymphocytic leukemia from a reactive lymphocytosis (immunophenotyping or

In this section, we will cover the following: Leukemia basics: Brief overview of leukemia, definitions, concepts (see below). You can also refer to our instructional videos for mini-lectures on this topic. Classification tools: Tools used for identifying different types of leukemia and lymphoid leukemia or lymphoma from non-neoplastic increases in lymphoid cells. Types of leukemia: