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The Peripheral Smear Study (also called Peripheral Blood Smear / PBS) is a microscopic examination of a thin film of blood spre...
Also known as: Peripheral Blood Smear · PBS Test · Blood Film Examination · Peripheral Smear Study · Manual Blood Film
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The Peripheral Smear Study (also called Peripheral Blood Smear / PBS) is a microscopic examination of a thin film of blood spread on a glass slide, stained, and examined by a trained haematologist or medical laboratory scientist. It provides a direct visual assessment of red blood cell morphology, white blood cell appearance, and platelet characteristics — revealing abnormalities that automated analysers cannot detect and offering a level of diagnostic precision that makes it the gold-standard confirmatory test for most haematological conditions. No fasting required.
Key benefits of this package include:
What Does the Peripheral Smear Study (PS / PBS) Test Measure?
| Level / Result | Possible Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Microcytic hypochromic cells + Pencil cells | Iron deficiency anaemia — cells are small (microcytic) and pale (hypochromic) due to low haemoglobin content |
| Target cells + Microcytosis | Thalassaemia, liver disease, or haemoglobin C disease — target cells (bullseye appearance) are characteristic |
| Sickle cells (crescent/banana-shaped RBCs) | Sickle cell anaemia — haemoglobin S polymerisation deforms red cells |
| Spherocytes + Polychromasia | Haemolytic anaemia — hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune haemolysis (Coombs-positive) |
| Hypersegmented neutrophils + Macro-ovalocytes | Megaloblastic anaemia — Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency; pathognomonic finding |
| Blast cells present (> 20% in acute settings) | Acute Leukaemia — urgent haematology evaluation required |
| Schistocytes (red cell fragments) | Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia — TTP, HUS, DIC, mechanical heart valve — urgent evaluation |
| Ring forms inside RBCs | Malaria — Plasmodium species identified; treatment initiated based on species and parasite density |
| Atypical lymphocytes (reactive) | Viral infection — EBV (infectious mononucleosis), CMV, dengue — large, irregular lymphocytes |
Important Note: Peripheral smear is a qualitative and narrative report interpreted by a trained haematologist. Its value lies in expert pattern recognition — the same finding can have different clinical significance depending on the overall cellular picture, clinical history, and accompanying laboratory results. Peripheral smear is always interpreted alongside CBC, clinical symptoms, and relevant additional tests. All reports must be reviewed by a physician.
When a Peripheral Smear Is Essential — Not Optional: Automated CBC is highly accurate for cell counting but is programmed to flag unusual findings for human review. When the analyser flags a sample — for abnormal red cell morphology, blast cells, immature granulocytes, or platelet clumping — a peripheral smear review is mandatory. At Medall's NABL-accredited laboratory, all CBC samples triggering flags receive mandatory peripheral smear review by our haematology team before the report is released — ensuring that no clinically significant finding is missed by automation alone.
Book once, we handle the rest. Our certified phlebotomist arrives at your doorstep — your report is delivered within 24 hours.
Trusted by millions of Customers across South India — these are the tests our doctors recommend most.
Screens for anaemia, infections, and immune health
