Professional Documents
Culture Documents
5 6 Intravascular Underproduction
5 6 Intravascular Underproduction
III. Hemoglobin C
A. Autosomal recessive mutation in β chain of hemoglobin
1. Normal glutamic acid is replaced by lysine.
2. Less common than sickle cell disease
B. Presents with mild anemia due to extravascular hemolysis
C. Characteristic HbC crystals are seen in RBCs on blood smear (Fig. 5.10).
E. Heinz preparation is used to screen for disease (precipitated hemoglobin can only
be seen with a special Heinz stain, Fig. 5.12); enzyme studies confirm deficiency
(performed weeks after hemolytic episode resolves).
Fig. 5.11 Bite cell. Fig. 5.12 Heinz bodies (Heinz preparation). Fig. 5.13 Schistocyte.
Red Blood Cell Disorders 51
V. Malaria
A. Infection of RBCs and liver with Plasmodium (Fig. 5.14); transmitted by the female
Anopheles mosquito
B. RBCs rupture as a part of the Plasmodium life cycle, resulting in intravascular
hemolysis and cyclical fever.
1. P falciparum—daily fever
Fig. 5.14 Erythrocytes infected with P falciparum. Fig. 5.15 Aplastic anemia.
(Courtesy of Paulo Mourao, MD)
52 Fundamentals of pathology
ISBN 978-0-9832246-0-0
Purchase online at www.pathoma.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted
in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the
publisher (email: info@pathoma.com).
Disclaimer
Fundamentals of Pathology aims at providing general principles of pathology and its associated
disciplines and is not intended as a working guide to patient care, drug administration or
treatment. Medicine is a constantly evolving field and changes in practice regularly occur. It is
the responsibility of the treating practitioner, relying on independent expertise and knowledge
of the patient, to determine the best treatment and method of application for the patient.
Neither the publisher nor the author assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to
persons or property arising from or related to the material within this publication.
Furthermore, although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information present in
this publication, the author and publisher make no representations or warranties whatsoever,
express or implied, with respect to the completeness, accuracy or currency of the contents of
this publication. This publication is not meant to be a substitute for the advice of a physician
or other licensed and qualified medical professional. Information presented in this publication
may refer to drugs, devices or techniques which are subject to government regulation, and it is
the responsibility of the treating practitioner to comply with all applicable laws.