White Blood Cell Disorders and Platelets:: 4. Intra-cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies

Doehle Bodies: Review

  • Doehle bodies are discrete, round or oval aggregates at the cytoplasmic periphery of neutrophils (blue arrows in figures).
  • They stain sky blue with Romanowsky's stain and often may be deceivingly inconspicuous.
  • In electron-micrographs, Doehle bodies are recognized as lamellar aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum.
  • Although not considered a marker for leukemia, Goudsmit, et al (Brit J Hematol 20:447-562, 1971)reported their presence in family members, 2 sisters and 3 brothers. Two of the brothers died of acute myeloblastic leukemia.
  • These testimonials indicate that Doehle bodies, when identified in peripheral blood smears, should be taken seriously so as to stimulate a clinical investigation of the patient.

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