Basophilic Stippling
Coarse stippling is more readily apparent with evenly dispersed larger granules.
Seen in Lead Poisoning, Thalassemia, Sideroblastic Anemia, Megaloblastic Anemias, Defective Heme Synthesis.
Fine stippling appears as evenly distributed purple dust and is hard to see in a cell. Often times fine stippling is seen in reticulocytes from residual RNA. Typically not clinically significant.


Coarse Stippling






Fine Stippling
Pappenheimer Bodies
Small dark purple granules found in clusters, usually on the periphery of the cell.
Stain positive as siderotic granules with Prussian blue stain.
Seen in Sideroblastic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia Thalassemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome

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Howell-Jolly Bodies
Densely staining purple nuclear fragment, usually appearing single granule.
Seen in Megaloblastic Anemias, Hemolytic Anemias, Hyposplenism, Post-splenectomy, Alcoholism, Sickle Cell Anemia.

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Other (No Pics)
- Babesia
- Ring-shaped parasite
- Malaria
- Parasite appearing differently depending on species.
- Cabot Ring
- Oval or figure-8 inclusion consisting of nuclear remanants or part of the mitotic spindle
- Heinz Bodies
- Only seen in supravital dye. Denatured globin from hemoglobin destruction.
- Hemoglobin C
- Hgb crystals in the shape of a rod in RBCs
- Hemoglobin SC
- Hgb crystals with finger-like projections
- Hemoglobin H
- Only seen with supravital stain. Appears as several sperical inclusions through the cell giving them a “golf ball” appearance.
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