crypto
Forum Newbie
Topics: 10
Posts: 26
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can someone explain the difference between polychromasia and reticulocyte count?
thanx
rkb
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| PsychDr2B
Forum Elite
Topics: 35
Posts: 197
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From http://www.chclibrary.org/micromed/00063640.html: A reticulocyte count is a blood test performed to assess the body's production of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes). A reticulocyte count is usually performed when patients are evaluated for anemia and response to its treatment. It is sometimes called a retic count.
Polychromasia definition from http://www.dictionarybarn.com/POLYCHROMASIA.php
1. A tendency of certain cells, such as the red blood cells in pernicious anaemia, to stain with basic and also acid dyes.
2. Condition characterised by the presence of many red blood cells that have an affinity for acid, basic, or neutral stains.
Synonym: polychromasia, polychromatosis, polychromophilia.
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| Sakaki-
Forum Senior
Topics: 1
Posts: 238
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A high reticulocyte count leads to polychromasia. Polychromasia reflects the "gray-blue" tinge of the RBCs (basophilia) due to the residual RNA involved in hemoglobin synthesis. Since routine blood smears are stained with a Romanowsky stain (Wright's or Giemsa's), the reticulum cannot be visualized, and a high reticulocyte count is reflected by a grading of poly in the smear.
A reticulocyte count obviously cannot be conducted with this stain; it must be performed with a supravital stain such as new methylene blue.
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