PBS: What Is It For?

PBS , or known as peripheral blood smear is a technique used by healthcare providers to examine the red and white blood cells as well as the platelets unlike some blood tests that are being analyzed by a machine. This type of technique is used to do an analysis by looking at the blood cells through a microscope. (Source: “Peripheral Blood Smear” from Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22742-peripheral-blood-smear-test)

This type of test is being ordered by healthcare providers along with a complete blood count or just the peripheral blood smear alone when an individual already has his or her CBC and it shows an abnormal blood cell activity. However, results from a peripheral test are not a diagnosis but rather healthcare providers make diagnosis based on a patient’s medical history, physical examination and results from the blood test.

A peripheral blood smear is a sample of blood spread on a glass slide that is being treated with a special stain. This is to help diagnose and monitor many conditions such as blood disorders, sudden kidney failure and treatment for certain cancers. (Source: “Blood Smear” from Medline Plus; https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/blood-smear)

Through this kind of test, a healthcare provider can see the following by looking through the microscope:

Changes in blood cell and platelet size and shape (can be a sign or manifestation of a blood disorder or blood cancer).

• Changes in the number or count of your blood cells and platelets (meaning something is going on with the bone marrow – which is responsible for producing blood cells and platelets).

• Abnormal changes in any of your different white blood cell types

• Sign that a patient may have blood parasitism

Do I/Why Would I Need PBS?

A healthcare provider might order a peripheral blood smear if:

• You have symptoms that indicate potential blood disorders or other conditions

• You’re a candidate for a stem cell transplant and your healthcare provider wants more information about your bone marrow and blood cells.

• You’re receiving treatment for a medical condition

• Your blood test results show abnormal blood cell activity. (through CBC count)

• You show symptoms of having blood disorder such as: fatigue, jaundice, unusual bleeding, bone pain, anemia, easy bruising, splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen).
  

Other Conditions Requiring PBS

Most often, healthcare providers use peripheral blood smear tests to diagnose blood disorders, blood cancers and infections, which can happen when bone marrow cells mutate and become abnormal cancerous cells called blasts.

Examples:

• Leukemia

• Myelodysplastic syndrome

• Anemia

• Heart failure

• Lymphoma

• Autoimmune diseases

• Malaria

Source:

• “Peripheral Blood Smear” from Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22742-peripheral-blood-smear-test)
  

• “Blood Smear” from Medline Plus; https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/blood-smear