RBC Inclusionscontinued Hematology Review 304
Siderotic
granules
Reticulocytes
Heinz bodies
INCLUSION STAIN DESCRIPTION EXPLANATION SIGNIFICANCE CONDITIONS
Prussian blue
New methylene
blue (polychromasia
on Wright’s stain)
Supravital stain,
e.g., crystal violet,
brilliant cresyl blue,
methylene blue
Blue granules of
varying size &
shape
Blue-staining
network
Round blue
inclusions, varying
sizes, close to cell
membrane. May
be >1
Aggregates of iron
particles
Residual RNA
(ribosomes)
Precipitated,
oxidized, denatured
hemoglobin
Faulty iron
utilization in
hgb synthesis
>2% = ↑
erythropoiesis
<0.1% = ↓
erythropoiesis
Normal during
aging but pitted by
spleen
Sideroblastic anemias,
postsplenectomy,
thalassemia, sickle
cell anemia,
hemochromatosis
Hemolytic anemia,
blood loss, following
treatment for iron defi-
ciency or megaloblastic
anemia
G6PD deficiencies,
unstable hemoglobins,
chemical injury to
RBCs, drug-induced
hemolytic anemia
