New York State Department of Health - Wadsworth Center - Cytohematology Proficiency Testing

Slide 151 [100X] Click here for a higher resolution image.

Sickle cell (code 41) was correctly identified by 411 laboratories. This image was taken from a case of sickle cell anemia. The arrowed cell demonstrates an elongated shape and pointed ends characteristic of a sickle cell. Slide 044 from the November 2002 glass slide proficiency test event is from a different case of sickle cell anemia that can be reviewed for typical morphology seen in sickle cell disease.

Few participants reported this cell as a schistocyte (code 39). The helmet cell form of schistocytes can appear similar to a sickle cell, also having pointed ends. Unlike a sickle cell the helmet form of a schistocyte does not usually elongate beyond the circumference of a normal sized red blood cell. O’Connor, B.H. A Color Atlas and Instruction Manual of Peripheral Blood Cell Morphology, Williams and Wilkins, 1984.

Number of Responses	Percent of Laboratories	Cell Code and Type
411	96.0%	Code 41: Sickle cell (drepanocyte)
16	3.7%	Code 39: Schistocyte
1	0.2%	Code 34: Elliptocyte