ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 5, No. 10, October 2014 | pp. 73–80
DOI: 10.46882/2014/IJH/000058
Original Article
Title: Characterization of erythrocyte morphologic parameters and osmotic fragility curves in hereditary spherocytosis variations
Names of Authors: Q. S. Abubakar¹, U. T. Maina²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; ²Department of Pathology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Abstract: Hereditary spherocytosis is a heterogeneous hemolytic disorder caused by mutations in erythrocyte membrane proteins, resulting in reduced surface-area-to-volume ratios. This study characterized automated erythrocyte parameters and osmotic fragility profiles in 28 patients from 14 unrelated families presenting with chronic Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia. Full blood counts, peripheral film reviews, and standard erythrocyte osmotic fragility tests using fresh and incubated blood samples were performed. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly elevated in hereditary spherocytosis patients compared to normal controls (36.2 ± 1.1 g/dl versus 32.8 ± 0.8 g/dl, P < 0.01). Osmotic fragility curves showed increased hemolysis in hypoosmolar saline solutions, which was pronounced after incubation at 37 °C for 24 hours. The initial lysis point occurred at a mean saline concentration of 0.65% in incubated spherocytosis blood compared to 0.44% in normal controls. An MCHC threshold above 35.5 g/dl combined with a positive incubated osmotic fragility test achieved a diagnostic sensitivity of 92.8%. Combining automated cell counter red cell parameters with traditional osmotic saline testing remains a reliable and accessible diagnostic protocol for confirming membrane defects in low-resource hematology centers.
Keywords: Hereditary spherocytosis, osmotic fragility, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, hemolytic anemia, erythrocyte membrane
Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 12, 2014; Revised: August 20, 2014; Accepted: September 10, 2014; Published: October 14, 2014