Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr Tom Vulliamy and other previous authors for their past contribution in the preparation of this chapter and we refer to past editions for a full extent of their work. Our understanding of the…
Biopsy of the bone marrow is an indispensable adjunct to the study of diseases of the blood and may be the only way in which a correct diagnosis can be made. Marrow can be obtained by needle aspiration, percutaneous trephine…
Tests for the acute-phase response Inflammatory response to tissue injury (i.e. the acute-phase response) includes alteration in serum protein concentration, especially increases in fibrinogen, haptoglobin, caeruloplasmin, immunoglobulins (Ig) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and a decrease in albumin. The changes occur…
Examination of a fixed and stained blood film is an essential part of a haematological investigation, and it cannot be emphasised too strongly that, to obtain maximum information from the examination, the films must be well spread, well stained and…
Preparation of blood films on slides Blood films should be made on clean glass slides. Films made on coverglasses have negligible advantages and are unsuitable for modern laboratory practice. Films may be spread by hand or by means of an…
It is possible to use manual, semiautomated or automated techniques to determine the various components of the full blood count (FBC). Manual techniques are generally low cost with regard to equipment and reagents but are labour intensive; automated techniques entail…
A number of factors affect haematological values in apparently healthy individuals. As described in Chapter 1 , these include the technique and timing of blood collection, the transport and storage of specimens, the posture of the subject when the sample…
Acknowledgement The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution of previous authors of this chapter – the late Corrine Jury, Yutaka Nagai and the late Noriyuki Tatsumi – and of Gareth Ellis, who reviewed the content of this chapter. Following an…