Target cells are present in all of the following conditions except which one?

Target cells, also known as codocytes, are red blood cells that exhibit a characteristic target-like appearance due to an abnormal distribution of hemoglobin within the cell. They are associated with various medical conditions that affect hemoglobin synthesis, membrane composition, or cell morphology.

In the context of the given conditions:

• In thalassemia, there is an imbalance in globin chain production, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and the formation of target cells.

• Liver disease can alter the lipid composition of the red blood cell membrane, which can also result in the presence of target cells.

• Postsplenectomy is another condition where target cells may appear, as the spleen plays a crucial role in filtering abnormal cells from the bloodstream. After splenectomy, there can be an accumulation of irregular red blood cells, including target cells.

However, myelofibrosis is primarily a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow fibrosis and abnormal cell production, which does not typically lead to the appearance of target cells. Instead, myelofibrosis is more commonly associated with other morphological changes in red blood cells, such as teardrop cells.

Thus, myelofibrosis is the correct answer, as it does not