What does the bleeding time really measure?

white-bleeding-heart

Here’s a very good question about the diagnostic use of the bleeding time.

Q. I’m currently studying heme for boards and came across a practice questions that used platelet count, bleeding time, PT and PTT values to differentiate between certain diseases/problems. I was just wondering how in both Vitamin K deficiency and liver disease you can get an increase in PT and PTT but the bleeding time doesn’t change…I guess I figured that bleeding time would have to increase.  Can you explain this to me?

A. Yeah, that does sound weird, you’d think the bleeding time would change – but actually, the bleeding time is only a measure of platelet function. It really has nothing to do with coagulation!

I kind of think of it like this: the platelet plug is the first thing to form, and that is enough to stop the bleeding from the incision made at the beginning of the test. The coagulation cascade happens next, and the status of that won’t be apparent in the bleeding time results. The patient might have some more bleeding later if their coagulation system is really screwed up…but the bleeding time assay will be done by then. In reality, it probably happens a little more concurrently than that (platelet plug is followed very closely by fibrin formation – the two probably even overlap a bit), but I think it’s a good way to remember the concept.

The same reasoning fits with the way that people with coagulation factor disorders bleed (as opposed to patients with platelet disorders). People with platelet abnormalities tend to bleed spontaneously into mucous membranes without much provocation (probably because they’re having a hard time forming that initial platelet plug) whereas patients with coagulation factor abnormalities, like hemophilia, tend to have deep, severe bleeds that happen after some time has elapsed (because they form the initial platelet plug okay, but they can’t seal it up with fibrin very well, so they end up bleeding later on).

Neutrophil vs. monocyte

leukocytes

Here’s an example of a common question students have in the beginning of a medical school or dental school pathology course.

Unfortunately, students often feel like they “should” know the answers to certain questions – so they don’t ask. Don’t fall into this trap! You never need to feel embarrassed about asking a question; everyone has things they don’t know – even professors. That’s why you’re taking the class – to learn!

On to the question.

Q. What is the main difference between a neutrophil and a monocyte? This is what I understand:

Neutrophils:

  • fight bacteria and fungi (but they are different than NK cells–right?)
    act as antigen presenting cells
  • phagocytic
  • are generally the first to arrive; part of the acute inflammatory response

Monocytes:

  • act as antigen presenting cells
  • can secrete cytokines and attract inflammatory cells like fibroblasts, etc.
  • phagocytic
  • bigger role in chronic inflammation

A. Broadly, the similarities are: neutrophils and monocytes are both phagocytes, and they both work to fight infections. But moncytes can turn into macrophages (when they get into tissues), which are very good at eating things, as well as presenting antigens. Neutrophils eat, but don’t present, antigens. One of the big differences, too, you already mentioned: neutrophils are the first to come in during an inflammatory process. Lymphocytes come next, then monocytes/macrophages come in to mop up the mess.

One note: neutrophils are phagocytes, but not antigen presenting cells. Another note: You are right, neutrophils are different than NK cells. NK (natural killer) cells are specialized lymphocytes which have functions different than those of neutrophils and monocytes.

Also: neutrophils look different than monocytes/macrophages. Neutrophils have a “busy” nucleus (that’s why they are called “polymorphonuclear” leukocytes), with several lobes. You can see one at 2 o’clock in the above photo. They also have granules, both primary (azurophilic) and secondary (fawn-colored). Monocytes have a horseshoe-shaped nucleus, with dishwater-gray cytoplasm and a few tiny granules. See the lower left corner in the above photo.