Peripheral smear

Peripheral smear
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Purpose	To examine blood cells
Test of	Blood
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A peripheral blood smear is a laboratory test that involves spreading a drop of blood thinly onto a glass slide and then staining it to allow for the examination of blood cells under a microscope. This test is used to evaluate the morphology of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Purpose

The peripheral blood smear is primarily used to:

• Diagnose and monitor various hematological disorders such as anemia, leukemia, and thrombocytopenia.
• Evaluate the presence of abnormal cells or inclusions in the blood.
• Assess the differential white blood cell count.

Procedure

The procedure for preparing a peripheral blood smear involves the following steps:

1. A small drop of blood is placed on one end of a clean glass slide.
2. Using another slide, the blood is spread across the slide to create a thin film.
3. The slide is then air-dried and stained using a special dye, such as Wright's stain or Giemsa stain.
4. The stained slide is examined under a microscope by a trained hematologist or laboratory technician.

Interpretation

The interpretation of a peripheral blood smear involves examining the size, shape, and appearance of blood cells:

• **Red Blood Cells (RBCs):** The presence of anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, or polychromasia can indicate various types of anemia.
• **White Blood Cells (WBCs):** Abnormalities in WBCs can suggest infections, inflammatory conditions, or leukemia.
• **Platelets:** The number and appearance of platelets can help diagnose thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis.

Clinical Significance

A peripheral blood smear can provide valuable information about a patient's overall health and help diagnose conditions such as:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Sickle cell disease
• Malaria
• Myelodysplastic syndromes

Limitations

While the peripheral blood smear is a useful diagnostic tool, it has limitations:

• It is a qualitative test and may require additional quantitative tests for confirmation.
• The accuracy of the test depends on the skill of the person preparing and interpreting the smear.

See also

• Complete blood count
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Hematology

External links

• [Peripheral Blood Smear - MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/peripheral-blood-smear/)