Liver disease and target cells

[twoinone]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Can someone explain how liver disease can cause target cells to be seen in the smear? Thanks.

 

[ipizzy]

From wikipedia: "Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity may be decreased in obstructive liver disease. Decreased enzymatic activity increases the cholesterol to phospholipid ratio, producing an absolute increase in surface area of the red blood cell membranes."

In general, target cells are caused by anything that increases the relative surface area of the RBC.

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[twoinone]

Great! Thanks.