Stab cell

Stab cell is a term used in hematology, the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. It refers to a specific stage in the development of a type of white blood cell known as a neutrophil. Neutrophils are key components of the immune system, playing a crucial role in defending the body against infections by ingesting bacteria, dead cells, and other particles.

Development of Neutrophils

Neutrophils develop from stem cells in the bone marrow through a process known as hematopoiesis. During their development, they undergo several stages:

1. Myeloblast - The earliest stage of neutrophil development. 2. Promyelocyte - The stage following the myeloblast, where granules start to appear. 3. Myelocyte - The stage where the cell begins to show specific characteristics of neutrophils. 4. Metamyelocyte - The stage following the myelocyte, where the nucleus begins to indent. 5. Stab cell or Band cell - This stage is characterized by the cell's nucleus forming a band or rod shape. It is an immature form of the neutrophil. 6. Segmented neutrophil - The final stage, where the nucleus is segmented, and the cell is considered mature and fully functional.

The term "stab cell" is derived from the German word "stabchen," meaning rod, referring to the shape of the nucleus at this stage of development. Stab cells are an intermediate step between the metamyelocyte and the segmented neutrophil. They are released into the bloodstream in increased numbers during infections or inflammatory processes, a condition known as left shift.

Clinical Significance

The presence of an increased number of stab cells in the blood is an indicator of an ongoing infection or inflammation. It suggests that the bone marrow is releasing more neutrophils to combat the condition, including immature forms like stab cells. This can be observed in various conditions, including bacterial infections, trauma, and other inflammatory processes.

In a Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential, the proportion of different stages of neutrophils, including stab cells, can provide valuable diagnostic information. An elevated level of stab cells, especially when accompanied by an overall increase in white blood cells, is referred to as a "left shift" and is a marker of acute bacterial infection or inflammation.

Conclusion

Stab cells play a crucial role in the body's defense mechanism against infections. Their presence and levels in the blood are important diagnostic markers for physicians in identifying and managing various conditions. Understanding the development and function of neutrophils, including the role of stab cells, is essential in the field of hematology and for the overall management of patients with infectious and inflammatory diseases.

‎

---

Translate: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, தமிழ், తెలుగు, Urdu, ಕನ್ನಡ, Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, বাংলা
European español, Deutsch, français, Greek, português do Brasil, polski, română, русский, Nederlands, norsk, svenska, suomi, Italian
Middle Eastern & African عربى, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili,
Other Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, മലയാളം, मराठी, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ગુજરાતી, Portuguese, Ukrainian