Peripheral blood smear (PBS)
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Qualitative test used to detect a wide variety of hematologic disorders
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🧪 What is a Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS)?
A Peripheral Blood Smear is a laboratory test where a drop of blood is spread thinly on a glass slide, stained (typically with Wright-Giemsa stain), and examined under a microscope to evaluate the morphology (shape, size, and appearance) of:
- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- White blood cells (WBCs)
- Platelets
It is a qualitative test used to detect a wide variety of hematologic disorders.
❓ Why is the Test Done?
To:
- Investigate anemia, leukocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, or pancytopenia
- Evaluate abnormal findings in CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Identify abnormal cells, including immature or blast cells
- Screen for infections (e.g., malaria, filaria, ehrlichiosis)
- Diagnose blood cancers (leukemias, lymphomas, myeloproliferative disorders)
🔬 What is Examined?
Cell Type | Key Features Observed |
|---|---|
RBCs | Size (micro/macrocytic), shape (sickle, schistocytes, spherocytes), color (hypochromia), inclusions (Howell-Jolly bodies, basophilic stippling) |
WBCs | Count, maturity (blast cells), abnormal forms (atypical lymphocytes, toxic granulation, leukemia cells) |
Platelets | Number, size (giant platelets), clumps |
📊 Interpretation of Results
Finding | Possible Indications |
|---|---|
Anisocytosis (RBC size variation) | Iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia |
Poikilocytosis (RBC shape variation) | Sickle cell disease, MAHA, liver disease |
Spherocytes | Hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia |
Target cells | Thalassemia, liver disease |
Blasts | Acute leukemia |
Atypical lymphocytes | Viral infections (e.g., EBV, CMV) |
Toxic granulations | Bacterial infections, inflammation |
Malaria parasites | Plasmodium species |
Schistocytes | MAHA, DIC, TTP, HUS |
Giant platelets | Myeloproliferative disorders, immune thrombocytopenia |
🧠 Associated Organs & Conditions
System/Organ | Conditions Diagnosed |
|---|---|
Hematologic | Anemias, leukemias, thrombocytopenia, polycythemia, lymphoma |
Infectious | Malaria, filariasis, parasitemia |
Immune | Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hypersplenism |
Hepatic | Liver disease-related poikilocytosis |
🔄 Related / Follow-Up Tests
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Reticulocyte Count
- Iron Studies
- Bone Marrow Aspiration/Biopsy
- Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
- Coagulation profile
- Flow cytometry (for leukemia typing)
✅ Fasting Required?
Test | Fasting Required |
|---|---|
PBS | ❌ No |
📝 Summary Table
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
What | Microscopic exam of stained blood for cellular morphology |
Why | Diagnose hematologic, infectious, and immune conditions |
Normal Result | Normal morphology of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets |
Abnormal Findings | Anisopoikilocytosis, blasts, parasites, giant platelets |
Follow-up Tests | CBC, bone marrow biopsy, iron studies, flow cytometry |
Associated Conditions | Anemia, leukemia, infections, thrombocytopenia |
Fasting Required | ❌ No |
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