Eccentrocytes

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Eccentrocytes 1 (Canine - Onion Tox) ARROWS
Eccentrocytes. Canine (onion toxicity).

Morphology: red blood cells with a clear crescent-shaped area along one side of the periphery. Formed by the fusion of two layers of oxidized cell membrane with no hemoglobin in between.

Commonly seen with: Heinz bodies

Clinical relevance: indicates oxidant injury to red blood cells. Oxidant injury may result from certain drugs (propofol and acetaminophen in cats) or from toxins (onions, red maple leaves in horses, zinc in dogs, copper in sheep, anticoagulant rodenticide in dogs, and skunk musk in dogs). Oxidant injury may also result from certain diseases (lymphoma and diabetes mellitus in dogs).

Eccentrocytes 3 (Equine - Red Maple Tox) ARROWS
Eccentrocytes (arrows). Peripheral border of fused cell membrane layers may not be clearly visible (borders indicated by dotted lines on the right). Equine (red maple leaf toxicity).
Eccentrocytes 2 (Canine) ARROWS
Eccentrocyte. Blue tint likely due to age of preserved smear. Canine.
Eccentrocytes 4 (Canine) + Heinz Bodies ARROWS
Eccentrocytes (arrows) and Heinz bodies (arrowheads). Canine.
Red Blood Cells, Shape Changes , , , ,

2 Comments »

  1. What would be the difference (morphologically speaking) between Eccenthrocytes red blood cells and Blister Cells? How can you differentiate visually between these two?

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    • Thanks for your question! Eccentrocytes on a blood smear have a completely clear/non-staining, crescent shaped area along one edge of the cell whereas blister cells have a small, clear circle at the cell periphery that is still surrounded by a rim of hemoglobin; the latter is often compared to a hole-punch in a piece of paper.

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