Definition
Anisocytosis is a condition characterized by the presence of red blood cells of different sizes in the blood. This alteration is found above all in the course of various forms of anemia, but may also depend on other pathologies.
Anisocytosis can be due, in particular, to the presence of microcytes (that is, smaller red blood cells than the norm) and macrocytes (larger erythrocytes).
- In the first case, the phenomenon is usually associated with iron deficiency or sickle cell anemia.
- On the other hand, anisocytosis with macrocytosis may depend on chronic liver disease, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, megaloblastic anemia and cytotoxic chemotherapy. This condition can also be found in the clinical picture of autoimmune and traumatic hemolytic anemia.
Other forms of anisocytosis are found in the presence of aplastic anemias, bone marrow replacement (myelophysis), thalassemia, leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Photo of Anacitosi: The blood smear shows red blood cells of different sizes
Possible Causes * of Anisocytosis
- Anemia
- Fanconi anemia
- Hemolytic Anemia
- sickle cell
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
- Fetal erythroblastosis
- Leukemia
- Cooley's disease
- Spherocytosis
- thalassemia
