Analysis of changes in the morphology of erythrocytes – microscopic evaluation of peripheral blood smears

Abstract

Microscopic assessment of peripheral blood smears belongs to the basic techniques of quantitative and qualitative analysis of leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets. Modern hematology analyzers allow accurate and precise assessment of blood cells, flagging parameters that are beyond the limit of the norm. Despite advanced technologies, the automatic peripheral blood smear is devoid of detailed data on abnormalities in the shape of erythrocytes, the presence of inclusions and erythroblasts, which can only be obtained by manual evaluation of peripheral blood smears. The following work aims to highlight the role of manual evaluation of peripheral blood smears, with particular emphasis on the assessment of abnormalities in the morphology of erythrocytes, which despite the passage of time should still be routinely performed as a supplement to modern diagnostic tools.