Polychromasia

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Polychromasia
Other namesPolychromatophilia
Polychromatic red blood cells appear bluish-gray on the blood smear.

Polychromasia is a disorder where there is an abnormally high number of immature

reticulocytes
. All polychromatophilic cells are reticulocytes, however, not all reticulocytes are polychromatophilic. In the old blood cells, the cytoplasm either stains a light orange or does not stain at all.

Causes

Red blood cells can be released prematurely by a number of mechanisms. Premature release of red blood cells is usually caused due to damage of the bone marrow due to underlying causes as well as in response to the stimulation of hormones in strong association with

Erythropoetin, a hormone made by the kidneys, controls the production of red blood cells as well as the rate at which they are released from the bone marrow. When these levels of erythropoetin rise, they signal the release of immature red blood cells into the bloodstream and is linked to anemia. Damaged bone marrow can also lead to polychromasia. The most common cause of bone marrow damage is penetration by cancer cells, either from the bone marrow itself or as a consequence of metastasis from another part of the body.[2]

Iron-deficiency anemia blood film

Association with anemia

Normocytic anemia is the most commonly seen type of anemia. This type of anemia is usually caused by the underproduction of blood cells as well as hemolysis. Anemia can be caused by either overproduction or underproduction of red blood cells, as well as the production of defective blood cells. Because there are more red blood cells needed in the body at that moment, they are released prematurely, leading to polychromasia.[3][citation needed]

Association with reticulocytosis

There is a slight correlation between polychromasia and reticulocytosis. It is much easier to test for polychromasia in blood cells than to perform special staining for reticulocytosis. If polychromasia is found in the blood cells, the reticulocyte count is taken to detect further disease or stress. If a low count of reticulocytes is found, it usually indicates bone marrow stress. If a high reticulocyte count is found, it is usually linked to hemolysis, but a Coombs test may be performed in this case to rule out immune-mediated hemolysis.[4] Polychromasia can also be seen in blood smears when there is a normal reticulocyte count. This can be caused by infiltration of the bone marrow due to tumors as well as fibrosis, or scarring, of the marrow.[citation needed]

Embryology

The formation of red blood cells is commonly known as

reticulocyte index and is calculated by adjusting the reticulocyte percentage by the ratio of observed hematocrit to expected hematocrit to get the 'corrected' reticulocyte count.[citation needed
]

Diagnosis

Polychromasia can be detected through the use of stains that will change the color of the red blood cells that are affected. Under certain conditions, these red blood cells are shown to have an affinity for basic stains, contrary to the usual acid stains used. Polychromatic cells usually stain dark blue or gray and are distinguishable from normal blood cells mostly by a slight change in color.[citation needed]

History

In 1890, research done by William Henry Howell indicated that certain red blood cells found both in fetal circulation and bone marrow (of a cat) had unusual granulation. These granules are also called Grawitz granules. In most instances, he found that these granules were connected by a network of sorts. The cells that had this granulation were found in blood and tissues that had been freshly stained without undergoing fixation. Howell was the first to describe these blood cells as being of the prototype stippling, which meant granular degeneration of the red blood cells.[7] In 1893, Max Askanazy, who was studying the blood of an anemic patient, discovered granulation in the blood cells that were polychromatic. Later studies were done by other scientists also showed the same results in other forms of anemia. This pattern of granulation was also seen in several types of toxic poisoning, especially lead poisoning. However, other research has shown that there has been stippling found in normal blood cells as well. Stippling is supposed to be one of the earliest symptoms of lead poisoning, although most scientists now regard it as a degenerative condition, along with polychromasia.[citation needed]

References

  1. JSTOR 3272243
    .
  2. ^ "What Is Polychromasia?". WebMD. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Anemia: Overview". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. .
  5. ^ Bleyl, Steven B., Philip R. Brauer, and Philippa H. Francis-West. "Development of Yolk Sac and Chorionic Cavity." Larsen's Human Embryology. By Gary C. Schoenwolf. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, 2009. 58. Print.
  6. PMID 21250107
    . NBK264.
  7. .

External links