What conditions have basophilic stippling?
Basophilic stippling is seen in lead poisoning, impaired Hb synthesis, alcoholism, and megaloblastic anemias (Figure 61.6A).
What causes basophilic stippling in lead poisoning?
In contrast to fine basophilic stippling in thalassemia, basophilic stippling is typically coarse in lead poisoning as a result of precipitation of RNA secondary to pyrimidine-5′-nucleotidase inhibition. Coarse basophilic stippling is also reported in pyrimidine-5′-nucleotidase deficiency and arsenic poisoning.
What is basophilic stippling in thalassemia?
Basophilic stippling is the presence of small coloured grains that are sometimes observed in young red blood cells when the blood is examined under a microscope (smear).
Is basophilic stippling normal?
Basophilic stippling is indicative of disturbed erythropoiesis. It can also be found in some normal individuals.
Is basophilic stippling seen in sideroblastic anemia?
The anemia is moderate to severe and dimorphic. Microscopic viewing of the red blood cells will reveal marked unequal cell size and abnormal cell shape. Basophilic stippling is marked and target cells are common.
Is basophilic stippling seen in Sideroblastic anemia?
What is the difference between fine and coarse basophilic stippling?
Fine basophilic stippling is associated with increased red cell production and is commonly seen when there is increased polychromatophilia. Coarse basophilic stippling indicates impaired hemoglobin synthesis, probably due to the instability of RNA in the young cell.
Is hypochromia serious?
The most common cause of hypochromia in the United States is not enough iron in the body (iron deficiency). If it is not treated, this can lead to a disorder called iron deficiency anemia. The cause of hypochromia should be evaluated by your health care provider.
How is mild hypochromia treated?
Microcytic anemia treatment Treatment for microcytic anemia focuses on treating the underlying cause of the condition. Your doctor may recommend that you take iron and vitamin C supplements. The iron will help treat the anemia while the vitamin C will help increase your body’s ability to absorb the iron.
What kind of blood smear reveals basophilic stippling?
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (blood smear reveals polychromasia, basophilic stippling, schistocytes, microspherocytes, and nucleated red blood cells). DAT negative. Thrombocytopenia (often more severe than the degree of hemorrhage).
What are the granules of punctate basophilic stippling?
Basophilic stippling, also known as punctate basophilia, is the presence of numerous basophilic granules that are dispersed through the cytoplasm of erythrocytes in a peripheral blood smear. They can be demonstrated to be RNA. They are composed of aggregates of ribosomes; degenerating mitochondria and siderosomes may be included in the aggregates.
What does it mean to have punctate basophilia?
Basophilic stippling or punctate basophilia means the presence of numerous basophilic granules distributed throughout the cell (Fig. 5-14 ); in contrast to Pappenheimer bodies (see below), they do not give a positive Perls reaction for ionised iron.
Can a lack of iron cause basophilic stippling?
A deficiency in iron leads to a lack in the number of RBCs in the blood. This is also referred to as anemia. An iron deficiency along with a reduction in the number of RBCs, can also lead to Basophilic stippling.