Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal
Target Cell RBC
›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:
›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)
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