More on Pappenheimer bodies

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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 thalassemia.
  • 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.