A patient with a positive family history of Anemia and Splenectomy in the family presents with abundant spherocytes in the peripheral blood. All of the following statement are true regarding his condition, except
**Question:** A patient with a positive family history of Anemia and Splenectomy in the family presents with abundant spherocytes in the peripheral blood. All of the following statement are true regarding his condition, except
A. Spherocytes are a type of abnormal red blood cell (RBC) found in conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
B. Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen, which can lead to immune system changes and increased risk of infections.
C. Spherocytes are not typically found in the peripheral blood during a routine check-up.
D. Spherocytes are associated with anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
**Correct Answer:** D. Spherocytes are associated with anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
**Core Concept:**
Spherocytes are spherical red blood cells that are predominantly found in conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Spherocytes are formed as a result of the abnormal hemoglobin synthesis and increased fragility of RBCs in these conditions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer (D) is right because spherocytes are a characteristic finding in patients with anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. In this scenario, the spherocytes are formed due to the impaired synthesis of normal RBCs and the presence of macrocytic anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, which is characterized by the production of large, irregularly shaped RBCs like spherocytes.
**Why Other Options are Wrong:**
A. Spherocytes are found in conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, not vitamin B12 deficiency.
B. Splenectomy leads to an increased risk of infections but is not directly related to the formation of spherocytes.
C. Spherocytes are commonly observed in routine blood tests during the examination of other conditions and are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency.
**Why Option D is Right:**
In the context of this question, option D is right because vitamin B12 deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, which results in the production of large, irregularly shaped RBCs like spherocytes. The deficiency of vitamin B12 interferes with DNA synthesis in the bone marrow, leading to macrocytic anemia and the formation of spherocytes in the peripheral blood. This is a unique feature of vitamin B12 deficiency, distinguishing it from other conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia where spherocytes are found due to different mechanisms (sickle hemoglobin mutations in sickle cell anemia and α and β-thalassemia mutations in thalassemia).
**Why Other Options are Wrong:**
Option A is wrong because the presence of spherocytes is characteristic of vitamin B12 deficiency and not sickle cell anemia, which results from abnormal hemoglobin synthesis.
Option B is wrong because splenectomy does not directly cause anemia or abnormal RBC morphology. It primarily affects the immune system and increases the risk of infections.
Option C is