target cell

Introduction

Target cells are erythrocytes with a central & outer rim staining with an intervening ring of pallor on peripheral smears.

Etiology

• liver disease
  • obstructive jaundice
  • hepatitis
• thalassemia
• hemoglobin C disease, hemoglobin E & hemoglobin SC disease
• lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) deficiency
• splenectomy

More general terms

• erythrocyte-variant