Hematology: RBC Inclusions

Question 1

What is basophilic stippling?

Answer 1

• presence of very small, dark blue bodies within RBC
• residual RNA
• polychromatophils

Question 2

When is basophilic stippling seen?

Answer 2

common in immature RBC during response to regenerative anemia

Question 3

What animal does not have basophilic stippling?

Answer 3

horses

Question 4

What can cause basophilic stippling?

Answer 4

lead poisoning in dogs

Question 5

What does the PCV and RBC look like in lead poisoning?

Answer 5

• normal PCV

- polychromatophils increases

Question 6

What does lead bind with?

Answer 6

ribosomes

Question 7

What are Howell Jolly Bodies?

Answer 7

• basophilic nuclear remnants

- seen frequently in responding anemia

Question 8

What are Heinz bodies?

Answer 8

Red blood cell retractile bodies

Round structures representing denatured hemoglobin

Question 9

What is another name for Heinz body?

Answer 9

Bleb

Question 10

What causes Heinz bodies?

Answer 10

• certain drugs
• chemicals
• toxins

Question 11

How is a Heinz body formed?

Answer 11

Hemoglobin becomes attached to a cell membrane

Question 12

What do Heinz bodies look like when they are stained?

Answer 12

• pale to clear in diff-quick

- stains blue with methylene blue

Question 13

What percentage of normal blood cells have Heinz bodies in cats?

Answer 13

Up to 10%

Question 14

What can cause an increase in Heinz bodies in cats?

Answer 14

• Poor liver function
• onion toxicity
• Tylenol toxicity