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

Target Cell RBC*


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› Microscopic Features:

• About the same size as a normal RBC
• Round shape
• Bull's eye appearance (resembles the Target sign)

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

• PB: Rare to None
• BM: Rare to None
• LN: Rare to None

› May Resemble:

• Normal Mature RBC [Compare]
• Macrocytic RBC [Compare]
• Hemoglobin C crystals [Compare]

› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in: Thalassemia Hemoglobinopathies (C, SC, or E disease) Post-splenectomy Liver disease Artifact of slow drying of blood smear Iron deficiency anemia (sometimes)

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


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› Misc:

• Increased surface membrane to volume ratio gives rise to a central darker hemoglobinized region within the area of central pallor