Dacrocytes are also seen in which of the following conditions in addition to myelofibrosis?

Dacrocytes are also seen in which of the following conditions in addition to myelofibrosis?

• A. Megaloblastic anemia
• B. Sickle cell disease
• C. Hemolytic anemia
• D. Liver disease

Answer: (A)

Dacrocytes are tear drop–shaped red blood cells. They arise when erythropoiesis occurs in a stressed or fibrotic marrow or during crowding of the marrow, causing RBCs to deform as they enter the circulation. While they are characteristic of myelofibrosis, they are also classically seen in megaloblastic anemia, where defective DNA synthesis and ineffective erythropoiesis disrupt normal red cell development and release, leading to teardrop shapes. Other conditions listed do not routinely produce dacrocytes: sickle cell disease shows sickled cells; hemolytic anemia often shows schistocytes or spherocytes; liver disease more commonly shows target cells or other membrane abnormalities. Therefore, megaloblastic anemia is the best answer.

Dacrocytes are tear drop–shaped red blood cells. They arise when erythropoiesis occurs in a stressed or fibrotic marrow or during crowding of the marrow, causing RBCs to deform as they enter the circulation. While they are characteristic of myelofibrosis, they are also classically seen in megaloblastic anemia, where defective DNA synthesis and ineffective erythropoiesis disrupt normal red cell development and release, leading to teardrop shapes.

Other conditions listed do not routinely produce dacrocytes: sickle cell disease shows sickled cells; hemolytic anemia often shows schistocytes or spherocytes; liver disease more commonly shows target cells or other membrane abnormalities. Therefore, megaloblastic anemia is the best answer.