Bite Cell RBC

‹ Back to Main Atlas

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

· hover the image to magnify

›Microscopic Features:

Usually slightly smaller than a normal RBC
The RBC has a "bitten" appearance (like a bitten apple)

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

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

›May Resemble:

Schistocyte (Helmet cell type)
Normal Mature RBC

›Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in:
G6PD deficiency
Unstable hemoglobin disorders
Oxidative drug-effect

›Classic Immunophenotype:

›Cartoon Image:

Click and drag Red blood cell for scale

for direct comparison

›Misc:

Commonly associated with disorders in which precipitated oxidized hemoglobin on RBC membrane (e.g. Heiz bodies in RBCs of G6PD patients) is removed as they pass through the spleen ultimately forming a bite-shape RBC appearance