Apologies for the bad resolution. This cell doesn’t have a nucleus and the eosinophilia stain seems to be granules. The rest of the smear appears to dysmorphic neutrophils (not like typical MDS, more like sepsis) and many promyelocytes

The image might come from an old api test question. Not a current one though

I’m not a hematologist or a student, but I’m curious about how hematologists view ferritin cut-off values used by labs and how that might differ from ideal values.

Don't forget to check the tail of the film for the big Bois that caught and pushed to the end and sides 🪱

I want slides on differential smear section in the lab for rbcs&wbcs shapes name and how i make comment on field and do counting

I feel like they’re some of my fav cells. What are your favs?

Hello, I am a 2nd year Hematology resident looking to start reading in depth. I saw these book recs on this subreddit. Are they good only for refreshing your memory? What else would you recommend?

In Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) the lymphocytes on a blood smear often appear atypical. These atypical lymphocytes, also known as Downey cells, have distinct characteristics that set them apart from normal lymphocytes. Here's what they typically look like:

1. Size

   • Atypical lymphocytes are generally larger than normal lymphocytes, sometimes twice the size of a normal red blood cell

2. Cytoplasm:

   • The cytoplasm is often abundant and pale blue
   • It may appear basophilic and is often indented by surrounding red blood cells, giving a "skirting" or "ballerina skirt" appearance.

3. Nucleus:

   • The nucleus may appear oval, irregular, or lobulated
   • It is often eccentrically placed (not centrally located) and can look folded or indented.
   • The chromatin is usually less condensed, giving the nucleus a more open, "smudged," or lacey appearance.

4. Reactive Features:

   • Atypical lymphocytes are reactive due to the body's immune response to the viral infection. This means they are actively producing antibodies and fighting the virus, which is why they appear larger and more irregular.

5. Nucleoli:

   • Sometimes, one or more nucleoli may be visible, which is unusual for typical lymphocytes.

The atypical lymphocytes seen in EBV infection are primarily reactive CD8+ T cells, which are activated in response to the infected B cells.

Diagnostic Context: The presence of atypical lymphocytes on a peripheral blood smear, along with other clinical signs (fever, sore throat, lymphadenopathy), strongly suggests infectious mononucleosis due to EBV. To confirm the diagnosis, physicians often order additional tests such as antibodies anti-EBV IgM and IgG.