Blood and Immunity

Microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic, each with a short differential

A memory aid for classifying anaemia by red cell size.

Warfarin blocks vitamin K, heparin activates antithrombin, DOACs block Xa or thrombin

A memory aid for how the anticoagulants work and are monitored.

Antithrombin, protein C and S, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor

A memory aid for the body's own anticoagulant systems.

Antigen binding plus T cell help drives class switching and affinity maturation

A memory aid for how B cells mature and change antibody class.

Group O is the universal red cell donor; group AB the universal plasma donor

A memory aid for the ABO and Rhesus systems.

Extrinsic measured by prothrombin time, intrinsic by APTT

A memory aid for the intrinsic, extrinsic and common coagulation pathways.

Classical, alternative and lectin pathways converging on C3

A memory aid for the three complement pathways and their functions.

Interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor drive the acute phase response

A memory aid for the main inflammatory cytokines.

Widespread activation of coagulation consumes factors and platelets, causing both thrombosis and bleeding

A memory aid for the mechanism and results in DIC.

Four globin chains each with a haem group; HbA is two alpha and two beta

A memory aid for haemoglobin structure and the main variants.

Raised reticulocytes, bilirubin and LDH with low haptoglobin

A memory aid for the markers of haemolysis.

Vasoconstriction, platelet plug, coagulation cascade, then fibrinolysis

A memory aid for the stages of haemostasis.

ACID: Anaphylactic, Cytotoxic, Immune complex, Delayed

A mnemonic for the four types of hypersensitivity.

GAMED: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD

A mnemonic for the five antibody classes and their roles.

Innate is immediate and non-specific; adaptive is slower, specific and has memory

A memory aid for the two arms of the immune system.

Ferritin low in deficiency, normal or high in chronic disease

A memory aid for distinguishing iron deficiency from anaemia of chronic disease.

Returns interstitial fluid and protein, absorbs fat, and carries immune cells

A memory aid for the roles of the lymphatic system.

Margination, rolling, adhesion, transmigration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and killing

A memory aid for the steps of neutrophil action.

Adhesion, activation, aggregation, then providing a surface for coagulation

A memory aid for the steps of platelet activation.

Driven by erythropoietin, requiring iron, B12 and folate

A memory aid for erythropoiesis and its requirements.

A single amino acid substitution causes polymerisation of deoxygenated haemoglobin

A memory aid for the mechanism and consequences of sickle cell disease.

Filtration, immunity, storage and, in the fetus, haematopoiesis

A mnemonic for the functions of the spleen and the consequences of losing it.

CD4 helper cells coordinate; CD8 cytotoxic cells kill

A memory aid for the T lymphocyte subsets and their functions.

Reduced production, increased destruction, sequestration or dilution

A memory aid for classifying a low platelet count.

Factor V Leiden is commonest inherited; antiphospholipid syndrome commonest acquired

A memory aid for inherited and acquired thrombophilia.

Acute haemolytic, febrile, allergic, TACO and TRALI

A memory aid for the types of transfusion reaction.

Live attenuated give strong lasting immunity; inactivated are safer but need boosters

A memory aid for the types of vaccine and their properties.

Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils

A mnemonic for the white cell types in order of abundance.