From the Guidelines
Cellular degeneration seen on CBC results refers to morphological changes in blood cells, such as alterations in cell shape, size, or internal structures, which can indicate damage or deterioration. When evaluating anemia, a morphologic approach characterizes it based on the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic types having different common causes, including iron deficiency, thalassemia, and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency 1. Key points to consider in the evaluation of anemia include:
- The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to categorize anemia into microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic
- The reticulocyte count to assess bone marrow production capacity
- Additional tests such as iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), vitamin B12 or folate levels, and stool guaiac to identify underlying causes like iron deficiency, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or hemorrhage 1. In the context of CBC results, cellular degeneration may be noted in the differential count or as a comment by the pathologist, indicating the need for further investigation to determine the underlying cause, which could be related to infection, inflammation, toxin exposure, or sample handling issues. Some common causes of anemia and their corresponding laboratory findings include:
- Iron deficiency: low iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) resulting in transferrin saturation less than 15% and ferritin less than 30 ng/mL
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency: low vitamin B12 or folate levels
- Hemorrhage: stool guaiac positive, endoscopy findings
- Hemolysis: Coombs test positive, disseminated intravascular coagulation panel positive, low haptoglobin levels, elevated indirect bilirubin 1.
From the Research
Definition of Cellular Degeneration
Cellular degeneration refers to the deterioration or decline of cells, which can be observed in various medical conditions. In the context of a Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC) results, cellular degeneration can be indicated by abnormal values of different blood cell types.
Types of Cellular Degeneration
- Anemia: characterized by a decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, or hematocrit, which can be caused by various factors such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia 2
- Leukopenia: a decrease in white blood cell count, which can be caused by bone marrow failure or other conditions 3
- Thrombocytopenia: a decrease in platelet count, which can be caused by immune-mediated destruction or other factors 4
Causes of Cellular Degeneration
- Autoimmune disorders: can cause cellular degeneration by triggering an immune response against healthy cells 2, 5
- Infections: can cause cellular degeneration by eliciting an autoimmune response or by directly damaging cells 5
- Genetic disorders: can cause cellular degeneration by affecting the production or function of blood cells 6
- Environmental factors: can cause cellular degeneration by exposing individuals to toxins or other harmful substances 2
Diagnosis and Treatment
- CBC results can indicate cellular degeneration, and further testing such as bone marrow examination may be necessary to determine the underlying cause 4, 3
- Treatment of cellular degeneration depends on the underlying cause and may involve immunosuppressive therapies, antibiotics, or other medications 2, 6