Degmacytes are types of poikilocytes caused by cell membrane abnormality. Degmacytes are also called bite cells. One or more semi-circular “bites” have been removed from the cell – the spleen macrophages have bitten a portion of the cell off in an attempt to remove denatured hemoglobin from the cell. Oxidisation normally causes this denaturing. For more information including causes see Heinz Body Anemia
See also poikilocytes
« Back to Glossary Index