ERYTHROCYTE AGGLUTINATION. 🔬Peripheral blood smear, prepared at room temperature from a patient with acute hepatitis (hepatitis C virus - positive). Complete blood count on an analyzer: Hemoglobin 122 g/L RBC 0.78 × 10^6 /µL Hematocrit 8.4% MCV 107.7 fL MCH 156 pg MCHC 145 g/dL (normal up to 37 g/dL). 👉🏻This low-power image shows extensive erythrocyte agglutination, secondary to the presence of type II cryoglobulins. Cryoglobulin consists of polyclonal IgG and monoclonal IgM complexes. The falsely abnormal erythrocyte parameters obtained on an automated hematology analyzer are a result of erythrocyte clumping, which leads to a significant reduction in the counted number of erythrocytes and an increase in MCHC levels. Source: American Society of Hematology image bank.
Erythrocyte Agglutination and Spurious MCHC Elevation
Erythrocyte agglutination in cryoglobulinemia: blood smear morphology, spurious MCHC elevation, and artifactual RBC count reduction in CBC.
