124 results
Plasmodium Falciparum Blood Smear.
Key features suggesting Plasmodium falciparum:
- extreme parasitemia
- normocytic RBCs (vivax, ovale prefer big
Falciparum Blood Smear ... multiples per RBC ... P. falciparum causes ... human malaria cases ... rare in blood smears
Overall Approach to Anemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Blood Loss
 • Acute Bleed - Normocytic / Normochromic
Normochromic RBCs on Smear ... RBCs Decreased RBC ... Spherocytes on Smear ... Disorder • RBC ... Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes
Babesia spp. on Peripheral Blood Smear Microscopy
 - Multiple small parasites per RBC
 - "maltese cross"
Peripheral Blood Smear ... parasites per RBC ... peripheral #blood #smear
Red Blood Cell Morphology Atlas

Size variation, Hemoglobin distribution,  
Hypochromia,  
Shape variation,  
Inclusions, 
Red
#Path #Blood #Smear ... #RBC #Morphology
Hematuria - Differential Diagnosis Framework

Gross Hematuria: Red/Dark urine
 • 1ml blood/liter urine can induce color change
Hematuria: 3 or more RBC ... hematuria: - RBC ... - Dysmorphic RBC ... disease Renal Causes ... renal vein between aorta
Warm Antibody Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia 
1) DIAGNOSE AIHA
 • Anemia: macrocytic > normocytic, ↑ reticulocytes
 •
↑ LDH • Anti-RBC ... C3d • Blood smear ... 2) LOOK FOR a cause
Causes of Thrombocytopenia and Platelet Disorders - Differential Diagnosis and Workup
History:
 - Prior platelet count, family
Causes of Thrombocytopenia ... practices that could cause ... peripheral blood smear ... patients if the cause ... dysplasia on the smear
Hemolytic Anemias - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Signs of anemia and hemolysis:
 • ↓ Haptoglobin
 • ↑ LDH
Abnormal peripheral smear ... • Extrinsic RBC ... • Intrinsic RBC
A normal peripheral blood smear indicates the appropriate appearance of red blood cells, with a zone
peripheral blood smear ... the size of the RBC
Plasmodium - Identification Algorithm
 • P. falciparum: RINGS AND GAMETOCYTES PREDOMINATE, Small delicate rings, <1/3 size
rings, <1/3 size RBC ... Multiple rings/RBC ... rings, ≤ 1/3 size RBC ... trophs, >1/3 size RBC ... Algorithm #pathology #smear