Smudge cells are remnants of cells that lack any identifiable cytoplasmic membrane or nuclear structure. Smudge cells, also called basket cells, are most often associated with abnormally fragile lymphocytes in disorders such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
What is the clinical significance of smudge cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
BACKGROUND: It is reported that the percentage of smudge cells in the blood smear could be a prognostic indicator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, the clinical significance of smudge cells in other hematological malignancies, solid tumors or non-malignant diseases is less clear.
What do smudge cells look like?
You can clearly see how the smudge cells get clumped up together to appear as a dark violet patch in the above image. You must also note that only the violet patches on the left are smudge cells while the three in the middle are developing lymphocytes. What Causes Smudge Cells?
What causes smudge cells to form?
To understand the reason behind the formation of smudge cells, we need to first discuss about a condition known as Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). This abnormal condition results due to excess production of lymphocytes by bone marrow.
Can you have smudge cells and not have leukemia?
Smudge cells. A variety of diseases and other factors such as infectious mononucleosis, T-cell leukemias and other small-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, or even old blood and improper handling can produce smudge cells on a complete blood cell count (CBC) smear.
Do smudge cells always mean leukemia?
Abstract. Background: It is reported that the percentage of smudge cells in the blood smear could be a prognostic indicator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, the clinical significance of smudge cells in other hematological malignancies, solid tumors or non-malignant diseases is less clear.
What are smudge cells indicative of?
Smudge Cells. Smudge cells are remnants of cells that lack any identifiable cytoplasmic membrane or nuclear structure. Smudge cells, also called basket cells, are most often associated with abnormally fragile lymphocytes in disorders such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Do smudge cells always indicate cancer?
While smudge cells are not diagnostic of CLL, it has been shown that, in newly diagnosed CLL, a larger percentage of smudge cells is a better prognostic factor. Patients with >30% smudge cells show longer times before requiring treatment and longer survival rates than patients with fewer smudge cells.
Is it normal to have smudge cells?
Purpose. Smudge cells are ruptured chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells appearing on the blood smears of CLL patients. Our recent findings suggest that the number of smudge cells may have important biologic correlations rather than being only an artifact of slide preparation.
Can an infection cause smudge cells?
Abstract. The smudge cells are well studied as a prognostic factor for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but it is also found in viral infections. We experienced a case of abnormal hyperleukocytosis (WBC 41,600/mm3) associated with infectious mononucleosis (IM).
Which leukemia has smudge cells?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most commonly encountered leukemia in the clinical laboratory. Cytoskeletal defects in CLL lymphocytes can result in the formation of up to 75% smudge cells (SCs) during blood film preparation.
What viruses cause smudge cells?
The smudge cells are well studied as a prognostic factor for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but it is also found in viral infections. We experienced a case of abnormal hyperleukocytosis (WBC 41,600/mm3) associated with infectious mononucleosis (IM).
What percentage of lymphocytes indicates leukemia?
To be diagnosed with CLL, there must be at least 5,000 monoclonal lymphocytes (per mm3) in the blood. For it to be called SLL, the patient must have enlarged lymph nodes or an enlarged spleen with fewer than 5 ,000 lymphocytes (per mm3) in the blood.
What CD markers indicate leukemia?
CD38 is a diagnostic marker of chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL) that plays a vital role in activating intracellular signaling pathways following the stimulation of malignant B-cells receptors.
What are the markers for CLL?
CLL cells have distinctive markers, called cell surface proteins, on the outside of the cell. The pattern of these markers is called the immunophenotype. These tests are used to distinguish CLL from other kinds of leukemia, which can also involve lymphocytes. Both tests can be done from a blood sample.
Does Covid cause smudge cells?
The most frequent PBS change among COVID-19 patients were smudge cells (67.4%), giant platelets (42.7%), atypical lymphocytes (36%), and schistocytes (27%) (Table 2 and Fig.