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

›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)
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- 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
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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›Misc:
It is called a Reticulocyte when surapvital stain highlights the precipitated RNA