Bite cells
Synonyms: Keratocyte, degmacyte, (schistocyte)
Bite cells are erythrocytes with one or more circular excisions that arise after unstable hemoglobin is removed from the erythrocyte during spleen passage. Unstable hemoglobin can occur in such conditions as G6PD deficiency, Hemoglobinopathies, or medication use.
Mechanical damage to erythrocytes (for example, in thrombotic microangiopathies) can lead to erythrocytes that have the same shape as a bite cell. Formally, a bite cell is not a schistocyte because the cause is different. However, in many cases, bite cells are simply counted as schistocytes.
