What characterizes the blood smear of a patient with sickle cell disease?

The blood smear of a patient with sickle cell disease is characterized by the presence of sickle-shaped red blood cells. This crescent or "sickle" shape results from the abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) found in these patients, which causes red blood cells to deform under low oxygen conditions or stress.

In sickle cell disease, these deformed cells have a reduced lifespan and can lead to various complications, including vaso-occlusive crises due to their tendency to clump together and obstruct blood flow. The presence of these sickle-shaped cells is a key diagnostic feature and is often confirmed through various laboratory tests, including the sickling test or hemoglobin electrophoresis.

Understanding this characteristic allows hematologists and medical professionals to identify sickle cell disease and manage it appropriately, as the shape of the red blood cells directly impacts the patient's health and treatment needs.