HematologyOutlines - Atlas
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 may resemble:
  • Mature RBC
  • Macrocytic RBC
  • Giant platelet (specially if hypogranular)
  • --------------------------------------
  • Reticulocyte (with supravital stain) may resemble:
  • Heinz bodies
  • 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
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› Misc:
  • It is called a Reticulocyte when surapvital stain highlights the precipitated RNA