Poikilocytosis - what is it? Such an incomprehensible word!

From the school course of biology, you probably remember that red blood cells are the red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our body. These corpuscles, as a rule, have a round shape, and to be more precise, biconcave. However, the analysis performed in the laboratory can reveal modified red blood cells (oval, crescent or pear-shaped) in the human blood. The change in the correct form of blood cells was called "poikilocytosis". What it is? Now tell.

General information

Poikilocytosis is a blood disease in which erythrocytes of a modified form do not tolerate oxygen to the tissues of the body. Most often, this disease occurs in people suffering from any form of anemia.

"Poikilocytosis - what is it?" - this issue is of interest to all who are facing this ailment. It is necessary to understand that some of the erythrocytes of irregular form can still be returned to the correct state. These are echinocytes and stomatocytes. The remaining pathological forms (acanthocytes, drapano- cytes, codocites, dacryocytes, etc.) are irreversible.

Poikilocytosis in a general blood test. Varieties and forms

So, the blood disease, associated with a violation of the efficiency of red blood cells, was called "poikilocytosis." What is it is now clear. But there are many pathological forms of red blood cells. Let us consider in more detail the main ones.

• Echinocytes are globular cells with multiple outgrowths. Most often they appear in the analysis of people suffering from uremia.
• Stomatocytes are erythrocytes, convex on one side and concave on the other. The presence of these cells is observed mainly in patients with hereditary form of dentocytosis. Another name for dentites is hydrocitrate.
• Acanthocytes are sparse cells with spike-like processes protruding on the surface. Poikilocytosis of erythrocytes in acanthocyte form is observed with neuroacanthocytosis and abetalipoproteinemia.
• Drepanocytes are crescent-shaped cells containing hemoglobin S, which can polymerize and, with oxygen deficiency in the blood, deform the membrane.
• Kodocytes are target cells with an increased surface area due to an excess of cholesterol in them. Poikilocytosis in a general blood test in this form occurs with hemoglobinopathy C and S, prolonged jaundice and lead intoxication.
• Dacryocytes are tear-like cells resembling droplets in shape. Most often these modified red blood cells are detected in people suffering from toxic hepatitis, with severe iron deficiency, myelofibrosis.
• Microspherocytes are specific cells, the definition of which requires special care. They have a spherical shape of great thickness, but of small diameter. This type of erythrocytes is common in patients with hemolytic anemia.
• Elliptocites are oval red blood cells, which are also found in healthy people. The number of these cells in the human blood should not exceed 8-10%. If the norm is exceeded, we should talk about various forms of anemia or hereditary ellipticosis.

Changes in color of erythrocytes in poikilocytosis

The most common form of the modified color of erythrocytes is hypochromia, characterized by a wide unpainted cell center. This is due to low saturation of red blood cells Hb.

The opposite phenomenon is hyperchromia. This phenomenon is associated with high saturation of the erythrocyte Hb. This pathological form is more rare and is most often associated with a deficiency in the body of vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Polychromatophilia is the detection of grayish color in the blood of erythrocytes. Most often, such blood cells are observed in patients with hemolytic anemia.

Inclusions in erythrocytes

Poikilocytosis in the blood is manifested not only in changes in the shape of red blood cells and their shades, but also in the detection of elements of pathological bone marrow regeneration in cells.

• Taurus Jolly is a small amount (usually 1-3) of small inclusions of violet-red color. Their presence is the norm in the blood of newborns. In a healthy person, these inclusions should not be identified.
• The rings of the Quota are the remains of the envelope of the core of the megaloblast, colored red.
• Basophilic granularity is a substance of blue granules, manifested by lead poisoning, megaloblastic anemia and thalassemia.
• The Heinz-Ehrlich's bodies are inclusions that are formed from denatured Hb. The detection of these pathological forms is a sign of possible hemolysis.

Degree of manifestation

The degree of detected poikilocytosis in a patient is reflected in figures or pluses. Let's review in more detail:

• 1 or (+) - an insignificant degree of disease. 25% of erythrocytes differ in size from healthy cells.
• 2 or (++) - moderate poikilocytosis. 50% of the blood corpuscles do not correspond to normal size. Immediately begin treatment.
• 3 or (+++) - pronounced poikilocytosis, in which up to 75% of red blood cells are damaged.
• 4 or (++++) is an acute form of the disease. All red blood cells are unhealthy.

We hope that in this article you have found the answer to the question: "Poikilocytosis - what is it?" - and learned about the reasons for its occurrence.