Pappenheimer Bodies

Pappenheimer bodies
Peripheral blood smear, Iron stain, 1000x

Pappenheimer bodies
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa stain, 1000x

Description:

Fine basophilic red cell inclusions, usually clustered, near the inner cell membrane.  A red cell containing Pappenheimer bodies is referred to as a siderocyte on iron stain.

Pathobiology:

Composed of aggregates of ferritin (hemosiderin) with a variable component of ribosomes and mitochondrial remnants.

Differential diagnosis:

  • Asplenia and hyposplenia
  • Megaloblastic anemias
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes with dyserythropoiesis
  • Thalassemias
  • Lead poisoning (basophilic stippling usually prominent)

 

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Charles  E.  Hess,  M.D.,FACP    [more information]
Professor of Internal Medicine
Department: Medicine
Division: Hematology/Oncology