Laboratory Hematology Course

Lesson 1 • Blood Composition and Functions

Covers plasma constituents, formed elements, and homeostatic roles of blood. Provides the biological baseline required for interpreting all hematologic test results.

Lesson 2 • Hematopoiesis and Cell Lineages

Traces blood cell development from pluripotent stem cells through committed progenitors. Links developmental stages to morphologic features seen in clinical specimens.

Lesson 3 • Laboratory Safety and Regulatory Standards

Establishes biosafety levels, personal protective equipment use, and specimen handling regulations. Ensures compliance with occupational health and accreditation requirements before bench work begins.

Lesson 1 • Specimen Transport and Storage

Defines temperature ranges, time limits, and centrifugation parameters for hematologic specimens. Preserves cellular integrity and analyte stability from collection to analysis.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Analytical Error Identification

Identifies hemolysis, lipemia, clotting, and mislabeling as sources of erroneous results. Teaches rejection criteria and corrective action workflows to protect result integrity.

Lesson 3 • Anticoagulants and Specimen Tubes

Differentiates EDTA, citrate, heparin, and other additives by mechanism and intended test. Prevents tube-related interferences that distort cell counts and coagulation results.

Lesson 1 • Manual Cell Counting Methods

Teaches haemocytometer use and manual differential counting as backup and verification methods. Reinforces understanding of automated data by direct microscopic observation.

Lesson 2 • CBC Parameters and Reference Intervals

Defines RBC indices, WBC count, platelet count, and derived parameters with age- and sex-specific reference ranges. Provides the interpretive baseline for identifying abnormal results.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Automated Cell Counting

Explains impedance, light scatter, and fluorescence technologies used in modern hematology analysers. Builds understanding of how raw signals are converted into reportable cell counts.

Lesson 4 • Calibration, Quality Control, and Maintenance

Covers calibration verification, Levey-Jennings charting, Westgard rules, and preventive maintenance schedules. Ensures analyser performance meets regulatory and accreditation standards.

Lesson 1 • Smear Preparation and Staining Techniques

Covers wedge and coverslip smear methods, Wright-Giemsa staining, and troubleshooting staining artefacts. Quality smear preparation is prerequisite to accurate morphologic interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Erythrocyte Morphology and Abnormalities

Identifies normal RBC morphology and classifies size, shape, colour, and inclusion abnormalities. Links each morphologic finding to specific underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Lesson 3 • Platelet Morphology and Estimation

Evaluates platelet size, granularity, clumping, and satellite phenomena on the peripheral smear. Platelet morphology findings complement automated counts and flag clinically significant disorders.

Lesson 4 • Leukocyte Morphology and the 100-Cell Differential

Teaches identification of all mature and immature WBC types and systematic 100-cell differential counting. Accurate differential results directly inform clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Lesson 1 • Haemolytic Anaemias: Extrinsic Causes

Diagnoses autoimmune, microangiopathic, and drug-induced haemolysis using DAT, LDH, haptoglobin, and schistocyte identification. Extrinsic haemolysis often requires urgent clinical correlation.

Lesson 2 • Megaloblastic and Macrocytic Anaemias

Identifies B12 and folate deficiency through serum levels, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine testing. Connects macrocytic morphology and hypersegmented neutrophils to specific nutrient deficits.

Lesson 3 • Iron Deficiency and Iron-Related Anaemias

Covers serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, and transferrin saturation patterns in iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease. Distinguishes these two common entities using a stepwise laboratory approach.

Lesson 4 • Morphologic and Kinetic Classification of Anaemia

Organises anaemias by MCV category and reticulocyte production index. Provides the primary diagnostic framework applied throughout the chapter.

Lesson 1 • Reactive Leukocytosis and Leukopenia

Distinguishes infectious, inflammatory, and drug-induced WBC changes from neoplastic proliferations. Accurate recognition of reactive patterns prevents unnecessary leukaemia workups.

Lesson 2 • Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry

Interprets CD marker panels to assign lineage and maturation stage in acute and chronic leukaemias. Flow cytometry data refines morphologic impressions and guides targeted therapy selection.

Lesson 3 • Cytochemical Stains in Leukaemia Diagnosis

Applies MPO, Sudan Black B, PAS, and nonspecific esterase stains to differentiate leukaemia lineages. Cytochemistry provides rapid lineage assignment before immunophenotyping results are available.

Lesson 4 • Chronic Leukaemias and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Identifies CML, CLL, PV, ET, and MF through CBC patterns, morphology, and molecular markers such as BCR-ABL and JAK2. Chronic disorders require longitudinal monitoring strategies distinct from acute leukaemia.

Lesson 1 • Primary Haemostasis and Platelet Function

Covers vascular response, platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation in clot formation. Understanding primary haemostasis is essential for interpreting platelet function assay results.

Lesson 2 • Specialised Haemostasis Assays

Covers D-dimer, fibrinogen, thrombin time, anti-Xa, and von Willebrand factor testing for complex haemostatic disorders. Specialised assays confirm diagnoses suggested by screening test abnormalities.

Lesson 3 • Prothrombin Time and INR Testing

Performs PT/INR testing, calculates ISI-corrected INR, and interprets results in the context of warfarin monitoring and liver disease. PT is the most widely ordered coagulation screening test.

Lesson 4 • aPTT and Mixing Studies

Performs aPTT, interprets prolongation, and uses mixing studies to distinguish factor deficiency from inhibitor. Mixing study results direct the subsequent specific factor assay workup.

Lesson 1 • Molecular Diagnostics in Haematologic Disease

Uses PCR, RT-PCR, and next-generation sequencing to detect gene mutations, fusions, and minimal residual disease. Molecular data refines diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy eligibility.

Lesson 2 • Cytogenetic Analysis in Haematology

Applies conventional karyotyping and FISH to detect chromosomal abnormalities in leukaemia and myelodysplasia. Cytogenetic findings are independent prognostic markers that guide risk stratification.

Lesson 3 • Integrated Diagnostic Reporting

Synthesises morphology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular data into a final WHO-aligned diagnostic report. Integration skills are the capstone competency of the entire haematology curriculum.

Lesson 4 • Bone Marrow Aspirate Processing and Morphology

Covers aspirate smear preparation, particle crush technique, cellularity assessment, and differential cell counting. Aspirate morphology provides the cellular detail essential for disease classification.