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target cell
Target cells are erythrocytes with a central & outer rim staining with an intervening ring of pallor on peripheral smears.
Etiology:
1) liver disease
a) obstructive jaundice
b) hepatitis
2) thalassemia
3) hemoglobin C disease, hemoglobin E & hemoglobin SC disease
4) lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) deficiency
5) splenectomy
Properties
GENERAL: erythrocyte-variant
QUANTITY: 4.2E12-6.2E12 CELLS/UL
References
- Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed)
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 414
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17, 18.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015, 2018.