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ESR

The document discusses the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test, which measures inflammation in the body by determining how fast red blood cells settle in a tube. ESR is used to help diagnose conditions involving inflammation like infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. ESR results can indicate various conditions, with higher rates generally suggesting more severe inflammation or illnesses.

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9 views13 pages

ESR

The document discusses the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test, which measures inflammation in the body by determining how fast red blood cells settle in a tube. ESR is used to help diagnose conditions involving inflammation like infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. ESR results can indicate various conditions, with higher rates generally suggesting more severe inflammation or illnesses.

Uploaded by

Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or

sed rate) is a test that indirectly measures


the degree of inflammation present in the
body.
• The test measures the rate of fall
(sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red
blood cells) in a sample of blood that has
been placed into a tall, thin, vertical tube.
• Results are reported as the millimeters
of clear fluid (plasma) that are present at
the top portion of the tube after one hour.
Theoretical consideration
When a sample of blood is placed in a tube, the red
blood cells normally settle out relatively slowly,
leaving little clear plasma because their density is
greater than that of plasma; this is particularly so when
there is an alteration in the distribution of charges on
the surface of the RBC (which normally keeps them
separate from each other) resulting in their coming
together to form large aggregates known as rouleaux.
The red cells settle at a faster rate in the presence of an
increased level of proteins, particularly proteins called
acute phase reactants.
In which conditions did ESR use?
ESR is a non-specific indicator of
inflammation and is often used in
conjunction with other tests to diagnose
and monitor inflammatory conditions
such as:
1- Infections
2- Autoimmune diseases
3- Inflammatory disorders
4- Tissue injury
5- Cancer
Cases need to test ESR
ESR test is typically indicated for the diagnosis and monitoring
of temporal arteritis, systemic vasculitis, and polymyalgia
rheumatica. ESR may still be a good option in some situations,
when, for example:
• Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes
inflammation in the joints
• temporal arteritis, a type of blood vessel inflammation
• polymyalgia rheumatic, a complication of temporal arteritis
• systemic vasculitis, inflammation of the lining of the blood
vessels
Result
Low levels. People with low ESR values may have:
1- sickle cell anemia, a condition that affects the shape of red
blood cells
2- leukemia, a blood cell cancer
3- a high red blood cell count
4- congestive heart failure
5- low levels of the protein fibrinogen in the blood
Moderately Elevated Result
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Anemia, a reduced number of red blood cells
• Thyroid disease
• kidney disease
• Red Blood cell abnormalities
• Some forms of cancer, such as lymphoma
• Tuberculosis, a type of lung infection
• A Bone infection
• A Heart infection
• A Systemic infection
Extremely Elevated Results
An extremely high ESR value, which is one above 100
mm/hr may indicate one of these conditions:
• multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a white blood cell
cancer.
• temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatic
• hypersensitivity vasculitis, a reaction to an allergen
that results in blood vessel inflammation
Westergren Tube Method
This method is by using a Westergren tube which contains:
1 . Westergren tube: It is 300 mm in length are marked from 0
(top) to 200 (bottom); open at both ends diameter of 2.5 mm.
2. Westergren rack: adjustable leveling screws are available for
holding the sedimentation tubes vertical position (3.8%)
trisodium citrate solution as anticoagulant diluting fluid.
4. venous blood sample
5. test tubes
6. pipette 0.5 ml.
Procedures
1. Place 0.5 ml of 3.8% Trisodium citrate in the test tube.
2. Add 2 ml of blood sample to the test tube. ( 1 part of 3.8% Trisodium
citrate to 4 parts of blood).
3. Mix the contents of the test tube gently.
4. Fill the Westergren tube to the 0 mark.
5. Set up the Westergren tube right in a stand With a spring clip on top
and rubber at the bottom.
6. Read the highest of the clear plasma above the upper limit of the
column of sediment red cells in mm/hr
The Wintrobe method is performed similarly except that the
Wintrobe tube is smaller in diameter than the Westergren tube
and only 100 mm long. EDTA anticoagulated blood without
extra diluent is drawn into the tube, and the rate of fall of red
blood cells is measured in millimeters after 1 hour. The shorter
column makes this method less sensitive than the Westergren
method because the maximal possible abnormal value is lower
Thank You

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