HEMATOLOGY LECTURE NOTES

Dr. Brady-West

White Blood Cell Disorders

Learning Objectives:

At the end of these lectures, the student should understand:

1. The normal process of white cell production, differentiation and
maturation.
2. The etiology and pathology of reactive changes in the number and
morphology of granulocytes
3. The etiology and pathology of reactive changes in the number and
morphology of lymphocytes and monocytes
4. The difference between a leukemia and a leukemoid reaction
5. The indication, procedure and interpretation of the leukocyte
alkaline phosphatase test (LAP)
6. The morphological definition and the implication of a leuco-
erythroblastic blood picture
7. The epidemiology clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, and
complications of Infectious Mononucleosis

8. The clinical, morphological, cytochemical and immunological

basis for the diagnosis and classification of leukemia
9. The general scheme of treatment of acute leukemia, and the
prognostic factors which affect the outcome of such therapy
10.The definition, classification, differential diagnosis and
management of the Myeloproliferative diseases
11.The epidemiology, cytogenetics, clinical features, laboratory
diagnosis, natural evolution and therapeutic options of Chronic
Myeloid Leukemia
 WHITE CELL DISORDERS

Requirements for leukopoesis (white cell production):

1 a. Adequate numbers of normal stem cells
b. Suitable microenvironment provided by a stromal matrix on which adherent
stem cells can proliferate and differentiate
c. Adequate levels of growth factors (Colony Stimulating Factors)

Granulocyte maturation
The earliest identifiable granulocyte precursor is the myeloblast, usually found in small
numbers in the bone marrow but absent from the peripheral blood in healthy individuals.
There are three pools of marrow granulocytes
a. The mitotic pool which comprises all cells from the myeloblast to the
myelocyte. These are all capable of self renewal by mitosis. Differentiation
into neutrophil basophil and eosinophil is evident at the myelocyte stage.
b. The maturation pool which extends from the metamyelocyte to the mature
granulocyte
c. The storage pool of mature granulocytes
There are two components of the peripheral blood granulocyte pool
a. circulating
b. marginating ( adherent to endothelium of small venules and capillaries)
Granulocytosis may occur by several mechanisms
a. Mobilization of marginating cells
b. Increased rate of maturation
c. Increased rate of mitosis
Granules
Primary ( azurophilic ) seen at the myeloblast and promyelocyte stage ,and
contain the enzyme Myeoperoxidase
Secondary : these appear at the myelocyte stage. They are neutral staining in the
neutrophil, red- orange in the eosinophil and blue in the basophil.

Neutrophil
Number 2.5 7.5x109 /L
Function (see illustration)
a. Migration to the site of infection or inflammation
b. Phagocytosis
c. Killing microorganisms by oxygen dependent mechanisms. This
involves the production of hydrogen peroxide and the superoxide
anion by the enzyme NADH oxidase
d. Killing microorganisms by oxygen independent mechanisms
intracellular acid ph, or enzymes lysozyme and lactoferrin that are
contents of the secondary granules.
 Lifespan of neutrophils in the marrow is 11 days. When neutrophils enter the
peripheral pool, they only survive for hours. (Half- life of 6-8 hours). Survival in
tissues for 1-2 days

Neutrophilia: Causes
A. Physiological
. Vigorous exercise
. Pregnancy
. Newborn
B. Pathological
. Bacterial infections
. Inflammation or necrosis
. Metabolic disorders e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis, uremia, and eclampsia
. Steroid therapy
. Acute hemorrhage or hemolysis
Changes in neutrophil morphology in disease states include:
Left shift - this is the appearance in the peripheral blood of more immature
components of the maturation pool
Dohle bodies and cytoplasmic vacuolation
Toxic granulation increase in the number and intensity of secondary granules

Leukemoid reaction
Definition: Extremely high leukocyte counts seen in a non- leukemic state and
may be lymphoid or granulocytic in nature
Causes:
Severe infections
Extensive burns
Malignancies with bone marrow infiltration
Severe hemorrhage
Lymphoid reactions seen usually in children in response to viral infections

Differentiation from leukemia by the following features:

1. Presence of an appropriate underlying condition
2. Morphology of white blood cells: reactive e.g. toxic changes vs. neoplastic
3. No evidence of bone marrow failure (anemia or thrombocytopenia)
4. High LAP score in granulocytic reactions

LAP test
This is a semi quantitative assessment of the level of functional alkaline
phosphatase in the cytoplasm of neutrophils.
Method: Film is made from freshly collected blood, and immediately fixed.
 Incubate in a phosphate solution, then rinse and counterstain.
Interpretation: assess the number and intensity of blue cytoplasmic granules in
100 cells.
For each cell score 0-4. Maximum score is 400. Normal 35 -100
0: No stained granules
1: few granules
2: moderate staining
3: Numerous granules, strongly positive
4: Numerous intensely stained granules

Neutropenia
Defined as a neutrophil count of less than 2.5 x 10 9/L. Usually symptomatic at
<1.0 x 10 9/L., with recurrent infections, oral ulcers. Serious or life-threatening reactions
occur at < 0.2 10 9/L.
Classification
Benign familial
Cyclic: neutrophil counts fall at 21 day intervals and remain low for 5-7
days. Due to failure of normal humoral feedback mechanism
Secondary: due to viral infections, autoimmune disease or
drug induced most common adult cause of isolated neutropenia, associated with
anti-inflammatory, antithyroid, antihypertensive and oral hypoglycemic agents

Eosinophilia
Defined as an absolute eosinophil count > 0.7 x 109 /l
Causes
Parasitic infestation, especially by organisms which invade tissues
Allergic disorders : bronchial asthma, urticaria; hay fever
Drug reactions
Hematologic diseases: Chronic myeloid leukemia. Pernicious anemia,
Hodgkin disease

Basophils
Similar to mast cells found in tissues
Involved in IgE mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Subsequent to reaction
between allergen and IgE the release of basophil granule contents e.g. histamine, lead to
the recognized clinical features of allergy or hypersensitivity.

Causes of Basophilia
Hypothyroidism
Myeloproliferative diseases
Chicken pox
Mononuclear Cells

Lymphocytes : Produced in the bone marrow from pluri- potent stem cells.
T lymphocytes account for 65-80% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and
are functionally divided into T helper cells (predominate in blood) and T suppressor cells
(predominate in marrow)

B lymphocytes : these have endogenously produced Ig molecules on the

cell surface , which act as receptors for specific antigens.
Lymphocytosis : absolute lymphocyte count > 4.0x 10 9/l. Levels are higher in
infancy and gradually decrease toward adult levels.

Causes of lymphocytosis
1. Acute infections : pertussis, hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis
2. Chronic infections : tuberculosis , congenital syphilis
3. Lymphoma or leukemia

Morphologic variations in lymphocytes in reactive states:

1. increased size
2. increase in cytoplasm cf to the nucleus
Monocytes

Bone marrow monocytes arise from the same precursor cell as granulocytes. Bone
marrow monocytes give rise to peripheral blood monocytes and tissue macrophages.
Tissue macrophages constitute part of the mononuclear phagocyte system.

Morphology of monocytes
Variable size
Abundant gray cytoplasm, often vacuolated
Larger than lymphocytes
Indented nuclei
May combine to form giant cells
Monocytosis: Causes
1. Bacterial infections ( most cause neutrophilia) syphilis, bacterial endocarditis
2. Recovery from acute infections
3. Protozoan infections
4. Collagen vascular diseases
5. chronic steroid therapy
6. Granulomatous diseases: sarcoidosis, ulcerative colitis.

Case History

A 20-year-old student presents with a 7-day history of fever sore throat, lethargy and
tender enlarged glands in the neck.
Physical examination reveals fever, mild jaundice, inflamed pharyngeal mucosa and
cervical adenopathy
Blood results
Hb; 12.5 g/dl, wbc 18.0x109/l , differential 30% neutrophils 40% lymphocytes 30%
abnormal lymphocytes. Platelets 100 x109/l
Throat swab: No bacterial growth
HIV test negative
Monospot test: positive

Infectious Mononucleosis

Caused by infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and characterized by:

Fever and pharyngitis
Lymphadenopathy and mild splenomegaly
Increased circulating atypical mononuclear cells
High titers of heterophile antibodies
Peak incidence at ages 15 25 yrs.
Clinical features
. Incubation period of 5-8 weeks
. Phayngitis with edema and adenoidal hypertrophy
. Lymphadenopathy tender, bilateral and symmetrical
. Mild to moderate splenomegaly in 50-75 %
. Atypical features include skin rash, hepatitis and encephalitis

Differential diagnosis
1. Acute viral pharyngitis caused by other organisms - serological tests are
negative
2. Acute leukemia usually significant anemia and /or thrombocytopenia; also
peripheral blood lymphoid cells are blasts (with nucleoli). Peripheral blood
 picture will be the same or worse after 10-14 days (will show improvement in
I.M.)
Hematological features
1. Leucocytosis of 12-18 x10/l with atypical mononuclear cells. The majority of
these are activated T lymphocytes.
2. Anemia and thrombocytopenia are uncommon, and usually autoimmune in
nature

Serological Features
1. EBV- specific antibodies
a. Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) : IgM antibodies produced
during incubation period and peak after 2-3 weeks then decline. IgG
antibodies subsequently appear and persist for life
b. Antibodies to Nuclear antigen (EBNA) begin weeks after onset of
illness and persist indefinitely
2. Autoantibodies: uncommon, may cause autoimmune anemia or
thrombocytopenia

3. Heterophil antibodies
These are non-specific serum agglutinins that will agglutinate sheep or
horse red cells. IM heterophile antibodies are differentiated by the
failure to be absorbed by guinea pig kidney cells. This is the basis
of the Monospot test.

Therapy

1. Treatment is symptomatic and antibiotics do not positively alter the course of

the illness
2. Steroids are indicated for severe and complicated cases eg autoimmune
cytopenias or encephalitis
 Acute Leukemia

Definition
A leukemia is a clonal neoplastic proliferation of white cells in blood and/or bone
marrow .

Classification of leukemia
Acute Myeloid (AML) or Acute Lymphoblastic (ALL)
Chronic Myeloid (CML) or Chronic Lymphocytic (CLL)

Case History

A 6 year old female presents with a 3 week history of fever, being less active than normal
and becoming easily tired.
She also has bleeding gums and easy bruising for 1 week
Physical Examination:
Pale and febrile
Tender over ribs and sternum
Multiple cutaneous hemorrhagic lesions
Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
Enlarged spleen
Laboratory results
Hb. 6.0g/dl; plats. 12x 109/l; WBC 85x109/l
90% blasts
CXR: enlarged hilar lymph nodes
BM aspirate > 90% blasts

Clinical features of acute leukemia

a. Due to organ infiltration
Bone pain
Lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly

b. Bone marrow failure

Anemia dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations
Neutropenia fever, infections
Thrombocytopenia bleeding from skin or mucosa

c. Hypermetabolic state
Fever
Drenching night sweats
Epidemiology

Most common childhood malignancy is ALL

80:20 ALL: AML in childhood, the ratio is reversed in adults
Environmental risk factors
Benzene
Ionizing radiation
Chemotherapy
Genetic disorders
Downs syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome
Neurofibromatosis

Classification of AML is based on the degree of differentiation or maturation of the

neoplastic cells
M0: AML with minimal differentiation not recognizable by morphology
M1: AML with no maturation of> 90% of myeloid blasts
M2: AML with maturation : Auer rods and primary granules visible
M3: APL ( promyelocytic maturation)
M4: Acute Myelomonocytic leukemia
M5: Acute Monocytic leukemia
M6: Erythroleukemia
M7: Acute Megakaryocytic leukemia

Classification of ALL may be based on morphology or immunology,

Morphologic classification (FAB)
L1: Blasts are homogenous, small, with scant nucleoli and high N/C ratio
L2 Blasts are larger, heterogeneous with prominent nucleoli
L3: Blasts are large with basophilic cytoplasm and cytoplasmic vacuoles

Immunologic classification
T-ALL shows early T cell antigens; may be of L1 or L2 morphology
C-ALL shows early B cell antigens
` B- ALL shows mature B cell antigens; this is always L3 in morphology

Diagnosis of acute leukemia

At least 30% blasts in bone marrow aspirate

AML and ALL are differentiated by morphological appearance and
Cytochemical stains myeloperoxidase +ve for AML and PAS+ve for ALL
Prognostic factors in AML

Age less than 2 or greater than 60 years

Preceding hematological disorder
WBC greater than 100
Types M0 , M6 and M7

Prognostic factors in ALL

Favorable Unfavorable
Age : 2-10 years < 2 or > 10 years
WBC: 10 or less > 50
Gender: female male
Type: L1 / C-ALL L3 / B-ALL
Remission: early late
EMD: absent present

Treatment and outcome of AML

Induction of remission with intensive chemotherapy with Cytosine, Daunorubicin

Consolidation therapy with repeated courses of similar agents
65-80% achieve complete remission
10-30% cure rate

Treatment and outcome of ALL : treatment is stratified according to risk

Remission induction
Consolidation/ intensification
CNS prophylaxis with intrathecal methotrexate and /or radiation
Maintenance (prevention of bone marrow relapse) for 2- 3 years
Bone marrow transplantation
10 year survival 40 80 %
 Myelodysplasia

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Definition : Heterogenous group of clonal disorders characterized by :
1. peripheral blood cytopenias with normal or increased marrow cellularity
2. morphological and functional abnormalities
3. peak incidence in the elderly
Causes
Most are idiopathic
Exposure to alkylating agents
Ionizing radiation

Clinical features
Anemia
Recurrent infections
Abnormal bleeding

Dysplastic changes in peripheral blood or marrow

Macrocytic anemia
Megaloblastoid erythropoesis
Agranular neutrophils
Ringed sideroblasts
monocytosis

Therapy and outcome

Treatment depends on age, type of MDS, general condition of the patient
Supportive therapy with transfusion of red cells or platelets
Chemotherapy for advanced disease similar to treatment for AML
Bone marrow transplant only in relatively young patients.

Outcome is variable; 25-45% transform to AML

 MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASES

Definition: These are a group of related chronic marrow diseases that have in common
the hyperplasia of cellular and /or stromal bone marrow components. They are classified
based on the nature of the predominant proliferating cell line:
1. Primary polycythemia ( erythroid)
2. Essential thrombocythemia (megakaryocytic)
3. Chronic myeloid leukemia ( granulocytes)
4. Primary myelofibrosis ( fibrous tissue)

Clinical features
1. Non-specific features common to all, due to a hypermetabolic state
a. Fever , weight loss and drenching night sweats
b. Splenomegaly : most prominent in MF and CML
2. Specific features such as bleeding or thrombosis in PRV and ET
3. All may be incidentally discovered on routine physical or laboratory tests

Diagnosis
1. Exclude a secondary or reactive state that can mimic the primary disorder.
There are four such reactive conditions
a. Secondary polycythemia (vs. PRV)
b. Reactive thrombocytosis (vs. ET)
c. Leukemoid reaction (vs. CML)
d. Secondary myelofibrosis (vs. MF)

2. Identify the specific MPD by the presence of diagnostic criteria eg.

a. Increased red cell mass or packed cell volume
b. Platelet count above 600x 109 /l
c. Philadelphia chromosome
d. Bone marrow fibrosis > 1/3

Case History
A 58 year old Caucasian man is admitted for elective repair of an inguinal hernia.
Routine CBC : Hb. 21.5 g/dl, PCV 0.61; WBC 16 x 109/L; platelets 520x 109/L
Physical examination: enlarged spleen
He admits to having recurrent headache and blurred vision for the past 6 months

Primary Polycythemia (PRV)

Polycythemia is defined as an elevation of the packed cell volume; and may be:
1. Absolute Polycythemia: the red cell mass is actually increased; this increase
may be :
a. Idiopathic : this is primary proliferative polycythemia (PRV)
b. Secondary to underlying diseases which produce increased EPO
i) Hypoxic states eg. Cyanotic heart disease, chronic lung
disease
ii) Inappropriate EPO production eg. Renal cysts, renal cancer,
phaeochromocytoma
2. Relative polycythemia: there is no increase of red cell mass, but a relative
decrease in plasma volume causes an increased PCV

Primary Polycythemia
Peak incidence in the 6th decade, but may be seen in young adults
Common signs and symptoms
Plethoric skin
Splenomegaly
Headache and dizziness
Venous or arterial thrombosis
Criteria for diagnosis
Increased PCV > 0.55
Arterial oxygen saturation > 92 %
Splenomegaly
Leucocytosis / thrombocytosis

Management
1. reduce blood volume by phlebotomy 1-2 per week until PCV is
<45
2. allopurinol to prevent urate nephropathy
3. Myelosuppression with hydroxyurea
4. Radioactive phosphorus in older patients
 Primary myelofibrosis
Presents with symptoms of anemia or of massive splenomegaly .
Laboratory features
1. leucoerythroblastic blood picture which comprises:
a. tear drop shaped red cells
b. nucleated red cells in peripheral blood
c. immature granulocytes
2. Normochromic anemia
3. Variable white cell and platelet counts
4. Elevated LAP score
5. Progressive bone marrow fibrosis

Causes of secondary fibrosis must be excluded;

1.Marrow infiltration by lymphoma, leukemia or solid tumors
2. Granulomatous diseases eg. Tuberculosis or sarcoidosis

.Management
Symptomatic with transfusion of blood products
Splenic size may be reduced by chemotherapy or splenic
irradiation
Median survival is 3-7 years. 20% transform to acute myeloid
leukemia

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Case History

A 32-year-old man presents with a left upper abdominal mass for 1 month, but has no
other symptoms.
Hb. 15.0 g/dl; platelets normal; WBC 43x 109 /l;
WBC differential: 45% N; 2% L; 8% Eo; 6% Baso; 35% myelocytes; 4%
metamyelocytes
LAP score: 28

Definition: A clonal stem cell disorder characterized by increased granulocytic

proliferation at all stages of maturation.

Hematological features:
1. Leucocytosis
2. Full spectrum differential with peaks at myelocyte and mature
neutrophil
 3. Eosinophilia and basophilia
4. LAP score low
Distinguish from leukemoid reaction by:
1. No clinical history of infection or inflammation etc.
2. The presence of significant splenomegaly
3. The low LAP score
4. The wbc differential
5. The presence of Phi chromosome

Cytogenetic feature
Philadelphia chromosome: mutual translocation with exchange of genetic
material between chr 9 and chr 22. This results in he formation of an abnormal hybrid
gene (Bcr-Abl) that results in increased cell proliferation
Note: The Philadelphia chromosome is not specific for CML. Present in 95% of patients
with CML, also found in some cases of ALL

Role of Phi in pathogenesis of CML

Genetic sequence on Chr 22 ( bcr ) are fused with sequences translocated from chr 9
abl) . This fusion gene codes for an abnormal protein with Tyrosine Kinase activity. This
Tyrosine Kinase is involved in signal transduction and activates pathways within the
affected cells leading to malignant transformation. Tyrosine kinases work by
transferring a phosphate group from ATP to intracellular proteins that regulate cell
division.

Natural Evolution of CML

1. Chronic phase: usually presents in this phase, with progressive leucocytosis

and splenomegaly. The disease is responsive to cytotoxic therapy.
2. Accelerated phase: Symptoms are worse, with night sweats, bone pain,
splenomegaly less responsive to therapy. Peripheral blood shows increasing
numbers of basophilic, blasts and promyelocytes. Disease is difficult to
control.
3. Blastic phase: symptoms progress, extramedullary deposits (chloromas)
appear, > 30% blasts in blood or bone marrow.
Blast transformation may be lymphoid (15%) or myeloid (85%)

Treatment of CML
A. Supportive treatment
1. Hydration and allopurinol prior to starting cytotoxic therapy for prevention of urate
nephropathy (nucleic acid breakdown)
2. Analgesics for bone pain or splenic pain these are more commonly seen in the
accelerated and blast phases
 3.Splenic irradiation may be used for palliation of massive splenomegaly

B. Specific treatment
1. Choice of therapy depends on the age of the patient, phase of disease and the
availability of a matched bone marrow donor.
2. Chronic phase
a. Treatment of choice used to be bone marrow transplant if patient is
less than 45 years old, and a matched donor is available for allogeneic
bone marrow transplant. Only 25% of patients are eligible.

b. If bone marrow transplant is not possible - interferon will

effectively lower the cell count. Interferon is administered
subcutaneously. Main side effect is fever / myalgia. Expensive
Interferon is not used if BMT is planned worsens outcome
c. Glivec ( imatinib) inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of the protein
produced by the fused gene on the Phi chr. Now approved for first line
treatment. Advantage : oral administration; also acts at as targeted
therapy to prevent production of the malignant clone. This has
now replaced bone marrow transplant as treatment of first choice.
Produces clinical, haematological and cytogenetic remissions in a
high percentage of patients in the chronic phase.

d. Hydroxyurea: Given orally 5oomg 3 Gm daily. Frequent monitoring

of WBC is necessary because the rate of fall is unpredictable. Counts
recover quickly after cessation or lowering of dose. May be used in
pregnancy. Not carcinogenic

e. Busulfan: Given orally as daily low dose or pulse high dose.

Predictable rates of fall of WBC so frequent monitoring of counts not
necessary. Low counts do not recover promptly after cessation. May
cause prolonged marrow aplasia. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Used
in older patients when frequent clinic visits are inconvenient. Side
effects include pulmonary fibrosis

3. Accelerated phase
a. Cytotoxic therapy used in higher doses, or switch agents.
b. Combination of agents add cytosar to oral agent
4. Blast phase
a. Lymphoid : vincristine and prednisone will induce remissions in some
patients ( back to chronic phase) ; remissions are of short duration
b. Myeloid : cytosar and adriamycin , remissions are harder to induce
than in de-novo AML.