What is "degmacyte"

n. An abnormally-shaped red blood cell with one or more semicircular portions removed from the cell margin, resulting from the removal of denatured hemoglobin by macrophages in the spleen.

A degmacyte (aka "bite cell") is an abnormally shaped red blood cell with one or more semicircular portions removed from the cell margin. These "bites" result from the removal of denatured hemoglobin by macrophages in the spleen. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, in which uncontrolled oxidative stress causes hemoglobin to denature and form Heinz bodies, is a common disorder that leads to the formation of bite cells. Bite cells can contain more than one "bite."

The "bites" in degmacytes are smaller than the missing red blood cell fragments seen in schistocytes.