In a laboratory setting, what impact do schistocytes have on blood counts?

Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells that can form due to various pathological conditions such as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia or severe burns. Their presence in a blood sample can lead to significant interference in laboratory blood counts, specifically impacting the measurements of both red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs).

When schistocytes are present, automated hematology analyzers may miscount these fragments as either whole RBCs or platelets, thus producing erroneous results. This miscounting can result in an artificially elevated or decreased RBC count, depending on the analyzer's interpretation of the fragments. Additionally, since schistocytes can resemble platelets due to their size and shape, they may also contribute to inaccuracies in platelet counts, potentially leading to an overestimation of platelet numbers or misclassification of the sample's morphology.

Understanding the role of schistocytes is essential for laboratory professionals, as recognizing the potential for misinterpretation can help guide further investigation and confirmatory testing, ensuring accurate diagnosis and management of the underlying conditions.