More on Pappenheimer bodies from Erythrocyte Inclusions - Wright Stained Smears, presented by MediaLab

Characteristics of Pappenheimer bodies and Siderotic granules

More on Pappenheimer bodies

Pappenheimer bodies, while visible on a Wright's stained smear, should be Perls' Prussian blue stain, which is specific for iron.
Pappenheimer bodies are seen in certain types of anemia characterized by an increase in the storage of iron, such as sideroblastic anemia and thallassemia.
These inclusions are also seen in the peripheral blood following a splenectomy. In a healthy person with a normal spleen, Pappenheimer bodies are destroyed before the erythrocytes enter the peripheral circulation.

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