Abnormal Scenes in a Blood Film

Abstract

Examination of peripheral blood smear is a vital step in assessment of overall health status of the individual. Blood smear examination is part of standard hematologic profiles and as a part of the diagnostic evaluation of apparently ill patient. In addition to differential leucocyte count, blood smear examination may reveal a variety of information of diagnostic value, for instance defective RBC morphology suggests chronic blood loss, endogenous or exogenous intoxication, vascular disorders or immune mediated disorders. Pathomorphological changes in WBCs are the first signs of inflammatory conditions and may be diagnostic for certain inherited conditions and leukemias that can be only are detected through microscopic evaluation of peripheral blood smears. In some cases, infectious agents pathognomonic cellular inclusions, and neoplastic cells are observed on blood films, yielding an immediate, definitive diagnosis. Every complete blood count (CBC) should be followed by blood smear evaluation that provides morphologic confirmation of hematologic parameters, assurance of the quality of values obtained from automated analyzers, and additional important information not given by automated methods. It is very easy and inexpensive to prepare a blood smear and one can acquire experience readily in evaluation of blood smear with regular practice supported by adequate background information.