Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Normal

Polychromatophilic RBC*


Click Here for Full Size

---

› Microscopic Features:

• Slightly larger than normal mature RBCs
• Lacks a nucleus
• Cytoplasm is greyish-orange in color (since it is less mature than a normal mature RBC)

› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

• PB: 1-2%
• BM: Scattered
• LN: Rare to None

› May Resemble:

• Polychromatophilic RBC [Compare] may resemble:
• Mature RBC [Compare]
• Macrocytic RBC [Compare]
• Giant platelet (specially if hypogranular) [Compare]
• --------------------------------------
• Reticulocyte (with supravital stain) may resemble:
• Heinz bodies [Compare]
• RBC with Stain artifact

› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in: In response to some anemias (e.g. hemolytic anemia or blood loss) Reactive Erythroid hyperplasia Post erythropoeitin therapy Polycythemia Vera May be increased in newborns

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


Click and drag

for direct comparison
› Misc:

• It is called a Reticulocyte when surapvital stain highlights the precipitated RNA