title: [Microcytological characteristics of reticulocytes in heterozygous beta-thalassemia].
abstract: Mean reticulocyte volume (MRV) and reticulocyte/nonreticulated erythrocyte (R/E) area ratio were determined by a planimetric method in normals and in heterozygous beta-thalassaemia subjects. The MRV in beta-thalassaemia group was significantly less, whereas no difference in the R/E area ratio was observed. These data suggest that in both groups the extent of splenic surface remodeling of the red cells should overlap, whereas the small reticulocyte size of beta-thalassaemia is determined by some alteration of bone marrow function. We suggest that a small MRV in beta-thalassaemia trait could also account for ineffective erythropoiesis, a major bone marrow feature of heterozygous beta-thalassaemia.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
vernacular_title: Carattere microcitico dei reticolociti nella beta-talassemia eterozigote.