Reticulocyte and stains

RETICULOCYTE AND SPECIAL STAINS

•  Reticulocyte is an immature red blood cell which contains remnant of cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid and organelles such as the mitochondria and ribosomes

• Before maturing into mature RBC’s reticulocytes spends 2 days in bone marrow and 1 day in peripheral blood

• Reticulocyte count is used to assess the erythropoietic activity of bone marrow

• Reticulocyte count is increased in

  • hemolytic anemias

  • Acute hemorrhage

  • Hemoglobinopathy- Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia

  • Post anaemia treatment with Iron supplementation, Folate supplementation and vitamin B 12 supplementation

• Supra vital stains are used to stain reticulocyte. Supra vital staining is the method of staining living cells that have been removed from organisms. These stains stain the reticulofilamentous pattern of ribosomes characteristically precipitated in live immature red cells. Supra vital stains are –

  • New methylene blue

  • Brilliant cresyl blue

  • Crystal violet

  • Methyl violet

  • Nile blue

  • Hoechst stain

Reference

1. 2011- Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Glossary. By CAP