Скачать или смотреть Ringed sideroblasts Indicating Lead poisoning; diagnostic clue in cases of lead poisoning

Ringed Sideroblasts are a hallmark of sideroblastic anemia, and yes—lead poisoning is one of the acquired causes of this condition2.

🔍 What Are Ringed Sideroblasts?
They are immature red blood cells (erythroblasts) found in the bone marrow.

Characterized by iron-loaded mitochondria forming a ring around the nucleus.

Detected using Prussian blue staining during bone marrow examination.

🧪 How Lead Poisoning Causes Ringed Sideroblasts
Lead interferes with heme synthesis, the process by which hemoglobin is produced. Specifically, it inhibits key enzymes:

δ-Aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD)

Ferrochelatase

These disruptions prevent proper incorporation of iron into hemoglobin, causing iron to accumulate in the mitochondria of erythroblasts—resulting in ringed sideroblasts.

🩺 Clinical Significance
Presence of ringed sideroblasts in bone marrow is a diagnostic clue for sideroblastic anemia.

In the context of lead exposure, it supports the diagnosis of lead-induced hematologic toxicity.

May be accompanied by basophilic stippling in peripheral blood smear and microcytic anemia.

#erythrocyte