Acanthocyte
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Acanthocyte (from the Greek word ἄκανθα acantha, meaning 'thorn'), in biology and
Acanthocytes have coarse, irregularly spaced, variably sized
Usage
Spur cells may refer
Acanthocytosis can refer generally to the presence of this type of crenated red blood cell, such as may be found in severe cirrhosis or pancreatitis,[6] but can refer specifically to abetalipoproteinemia, a clinical condition with acanthocytic red blood cells, neurologic problems and steatorrhea.[8] This particular cause of acanthocytosis (also known as abetalipoproteinemia, apolipoprotein B deficiency, and Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome) is a rare, genetically inherited, autosomal recessive condition due to the inability to fully digest dietary fats in the intestines as a result of various mutations of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) gene.[9]
Pathophysiology
Acanthocytes arise from either alterations in membrane lipids or structural proteins. Alterations in membrane lipids are seen in abetalipoproteinemia and liver dysfunction. Alteration in membrane structural proteins are seen in neuroacanthocytosis and McLeod syndrome.
In liver dysfunction,
In abetalipoproteinemia, there is deficiency of lipids and vitamin E causing abnormal morphology of RBCs.[10]
Differential diagnoses
The diagnosis of acanthocytosis should be differentiated from: acute or chronic anemia, hepatitis A, B, and C, hepatorenal syndrome, hypopituitarism, malabsorption syndromes, and malnutrition.[11]
Acanthocytosis secondary to malnourishment, such as anorexia nervosa and cystic fibrosis, remits with resolution of the nutritional deficiency.[12] Acanthocyte-like cells may be found in hypothyroidism, after splenectomy, and in myelodysplasia.[12]
Acanthocytes should be distinguished from echinocytes, which are also called 'burr cells', which although crenated are dissimilar in that they have multiple, small, projecting spiculations at regular intervals on the cell membrane.[7][12] Burr cells usually imply uremia, but are seen in many conditions, including mild hemolysis in hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia, hemolytic anemia in long-distance runners, and pyruvate kinase deficiency.[11] Burr cells can also arise in vitro due to elevated pH, blood storage, ATP depletion, calcium accumulation, and contact with glass.[11] Acanthocytes should also be distinguished from keratocytes, also called 'horn cells' which have a few very large protuberances.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "acanthocyte" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Wrongdiagnosis / Acanthocytosis Retrieved on October 12, 2009
- PMID 874076.
- S2CID 21615621.
- ^ "Acanthocytosis". Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-07-162699-6.
- ^ a b Mentzer WC. Spiculated cells (echinocytes and acanthocytes) and target cells. UpToDate (release: 20.12- C21.4) [1]
- ISBN 978-0-07174889-6.
- ^ Haldeman-Englert, C; Zieve, D. (August 4, 2011). "Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome". Pub Med Health. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ^ "Acanthocytosis: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology". 2017-08-29.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b c de Alarcon PA (Nov 30, 2011). "Acanthocytosis".
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4377-2928-3.
External links
- Acanthocyte: Presented by the University of Virginia
- Acanthocytes at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)