Schistocytes discovery: The role of the clinical pathologist

Schistocytes can be found in peripheral blood films and must be evaluated according to the other clinical and biological data. The presence of haemolytic anemia, schistocytes and unexplained thrombocytopenia should alert to the possibility of thrombotic thrombocytopenic syndrome which contribute to mortality and morbidity. Red blood cell fragmentation is often the earliest sign of thrombotic microangiopathy with severe prognosis. Microscopic evaluation must be monitored closely in order to determine the incidence and severity of schistocytosis. Until now, sensibility and specificity of automated methods have not been well evaluated. (c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.