A rubber industry worker presents with abdominal colic and severe anemi His blood examination reveals basophilic stippling of RBCs and microcytic anemi What is the likely diagnosis?
**Core Concept**
Lead poisoning is a preventable occupational disease caused by inhalation or ingestion of lead particles. It affects multiple organ systems, particularly the hematopoietic, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. The key to diagnosis lies in identifying the characteristic changes in red blood cells (RBCs) and the worker's occupational exposure.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Lead poisoning is characterized by the ingestion or inhalation of lead particles, commonly seen in workers in the rubber, battery, or construction industries. The ingestion of lead leads to its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The absorbed lead then gets distributed to various tissues, including the bone marrow, where it interferes with heme synthesis. This interference results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin, which accumulates in the RBCs as basophilic stippling. The accumulation of abnormal hemoglobin in the RBCs impairs the production of normal hemoglobin, leading to microcytic anemia. The worker's symptoms of abdominal colic, severe anemia, and the presence of basophilic stippling of RBCs are classic manifestations of lead poisoning.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Radiation effects can cause various types of anemia, including aplastic anemia, but they do not typically cause basophilic stippling of RBCs.
**Option B:** Benzene poisoning can cause aplastic anemia but is not associated with basophilic stippling of RBCs or microcytic anemia.
**Option D:** Sideroblastic anemia is characterized by the accumulation of iron in the mitochondria of RBCs, leading to ringed sideroblasts. It does not typically present with basophilic stippling or microcytic anemia.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Lead poisoning is a preventable disease, and early identification and removal of the worker from the exposure source can prevent long-term complications.
**Correct Answer:**
✓ Correct Answer: C. Lead poisoning