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Blood smear

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Red blood cells, sickle cell
Red blood cells, sickle cell
Red blood cells, tear-drop shape
Red blood cells, tear-drop shape
Red blood cells, normal
Red blood cells, normal
Red blood cells, elliptocytosis
Red blood cells, elliptocytosis
Red blood cells, spherocytosis
Red blood cells, spherocytosis
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph
Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites
Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites
Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites
Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites
Red blood cells, sickle cells
Red blood cells, sickle cells
Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer
Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer
Red blood cells, target cells
Red blood cells, target cells
Formed elements of blood
Formed elements of blood

Alternative Names    Return to top

Peripheral smear

Definition    Return to top

A blood smear is a blood test that gives information about the number and shape of blood cells.

How the Test is Performed    Return to top

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood sample is sent to a lab, where the health care professional looks at the it under a microscope. Or, the blood may be examined by an automated machine. The smear shows the number and kinds of white blood cells (differential), abnormally shaped blood cells, and gives a rough estimate of white cell and platelet counts.

How to Prepare for the Test    Return to top

No special preparation is necessary.

How the Test Will Feel    Return to top

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed    Return to top

This test may be performed as part of a general health exam to help diagnose many illnesses. Or, your doctor may order this test if you have signs of a blood disorder.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

Normal Results    Return to top

Red cells normally are the same in size and color and have a lighter-colored area in the center. The blood smear is considered normal if there is:

What Abnormal Results Mean    Return to top

Abnormal results mean there is an abnormalities in the size, shape, coloring or coating of the red blood cells.

Some abnormalities may be graded on a 4-point scale:

The presence of target cells may be due to:

The presence of sphere-shaped cells (spherocytes) may be due to:

The presence of elliptocytes may be a sign of hereditary elliptocytosis.

The presence of fragmented cells (schistocytes) may be due to:

The presence of a type of immature red blood cell called a normoblast may be due to:

The presence of burr cells (echinocytes) may indicate: The presence of spur cells (acanthocytes) may indicate: The presence of teardrop-shaped cells may indicate: The presence of Howell-Jolly bodies may indicate: The presence of Heinz bodies (with crystal violet stain) may indicate:

The presence of reticulocytes (more than 2% of total red cells; seen with special stain) may indicate hemolytic anemia or hemorrhage.

The presence of basophilic stippling may indicate:

The presence of sickle cells may indicate sickle cell anemia.

Risks    Return to top

The risks associated with having blood drawn are minimal:

Considerations    Return to top

The accuracy of this test depends, in part, on the experience of the person looking at the sample. Experienced cell examiners can get a lot of information from the blood smear.

References    Return to top

Newland J. The peripheral blood smear. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 161.

Update Date: 2/13/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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