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

Polychromatophilic RBC*


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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:



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RBC
for direct comparison

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



Content Editors/Website Administrators:
Hooman H. Rashidi, MD; John C. Nguyen, MD