target cells
Last reviewed 01/2018
These are red blood cells with characteristics that resemble a shooting target:
- central staining
- ring of pallor
- outer rim of staining
Target cells are abnormally resistant to saline haemolysis.
Causes include:
- obstructive liver disease
- thalassaemia
- haemoglobin C and D disease
- sickle-cell disease
- iron deficiency anaemia (small numbers may be seen)
- after splenectomy