Type Example Associated Pathology

Acanthocyte (spur Liver disease, abetalipoproteinemia

cell)

Lead poisoning
Basophilic stippling

G6PD deficiency
Bite cell

Hereditary elliptocytosis
Elliptocyte

Megaloblastic anemia, marrow failure

Macro-ovalocyte

Sideroblastic anemia
Ringed sideroblasts

Schistocyte, helmet DIC, TTP/HUS, traumatic hemolysis

cell
 Malaria
Schizont

Sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell

Hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune

Spherocyte hemolysis

Bone marrow infiltration (e.g. myelofibrosis)

o a result of mechanical damage when
Teardrop cell RBC squeezes through fibrosis to exit
bone marrow

asplenia, liver disease, thalassemia, HbC

Target cell disease

Oxidation of iron
o changes from ferrous to ferric
Denaturation of hemoglobin
o results in precipitation
Heinz bodies o damages RBC membrane
Macrophages attempt to remove
o forms bite cells
Associated with G6PD deficiency

Basophilic nuclear remnants found in RBCs

Associated with functional hyposplenia or
Howell-Jolly bodies
asplenia