Blood Smear
Blood Smear[edit | edit source]
A blood smear is a laboratory test that involves spreading a drop of blood thinly onto a glass slide, staining it, and examining it under a microscope. This test is used to evaluate the different types of cells in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood smears are essential in diagnosing various hematological disorders and infections.
Preparation and Technique[edit | edit source]
The preparation of a blood smear involves several steps:
Collection of Blood Sample: A small amount of blood is typically obtained via a finger prick or venipuncture. Spreading the Blood: A drop of blood is placed on a clean glass slide. Using another slide, the blood is spread across the slide to create a thin, even layer. Drying: The slide is allowed to air dry. Staining: The dried smear is stained using a Romanowsky stain, such as Wright's stain or Giemsa stain, which helps differentiate the various cell types. Examination: The stained slide is examined under a microscope by a trained professional, such as a hematologist or a laboratory technician.
Interpretation[edit | edit source]
The interpretation of a blood smear involves assessing the morphology of blood cells:
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs): The size, shape, and color of RBCs are evaluated. Abnormalities such as anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and hypochromia can indicate conditions like anemia or thalassemia.
- White Blood Cells (WBCs): The differential count and morphology of WBCs are assessed. Abnormalities can suggest infections, leukemia, or other hematological disorders.
- Platelets: The number and appearance of platelets are checked. Abnormal platelet counts can indicate thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Blood smears are crucial in diagnosing and monitoring:
- Anemias: Different types of anemia can be identified based on RBC morphology.
- Infections: The presence of certain types of WBCs can indicate bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.
- Leukemias and Lymphomas: Abnormal WBCs can suggest hematological malignancies.
- Platelet Disorders: Abnormal platelet counts or morphology can indicate bleeding disorders.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
