Erythrocyte inclusions are elements that may be present in red blood cells (RBCs). The appearance, composition, and associated physiology of the inclusions are specific for each type of inclusion. Identification and quantification of these inclusions are important because their presence may indicate diseases or disorders.
Some erythrocyte inclusions cannot be visualized on a Wright or Wright-Giemsa stained smear and require the use of a special stain, such as an iron stain or a supravital stain, to confirm their presence in the erythrocyte.
The inclusions discussed in this course are:
- Reticulocytes, which appear on Wright-stained smears as polychromatophilic RBCs
- Basophilic stippling
- Howell-Jolly bodies
- Siderosomes, which appear on Wright-stained smears as Pappenheimer bodies
- Cabot rings
