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Howell-Jolly bodies
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Howell-Jolly inclusions; Howell-Jolly body
Definition: Howell-Jolly bodies are histopathological findings of basophilic nuclear remnants (clusters of DNA) in circulating erythrocytes. It is named for William Henry Howell and Justin Marie Jolly.
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See also
Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions in neutrophils
During maturation in the bone marrow erythrocytes normally expel their nuclei, but in some cases a small portion of DNA remains.
This DNA appears as a basophilic (purple) spot on the otherwise eosinophilic (pink) erythrocyte on a standard H&E stained blood smear. These inclusions are normally pitted out by the spleen during erythrocyte circulation, but will persist in individuals with functional hyposplenia or asplenia.
Common causes of asplenia are splenectomy following trauma to the spleen, and autosplenectomy caused by sickle cell anemia.
Ten percent of patients with Coeliac disease also present with splenic atrophy with subsequent Howell-Jolly bodies.
Other causes are radiation therapy involving the spleen, such as that used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma.
Howell-Jolly bodies are also seen in: severe hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Etiology
splenectomy following trauma to the spleen
autosplenectomy caused by sickle cell anemia.
Coeliac disease (10%) with splenic atrophy
radiation therapy involving the spleen
severe hemolytic anemia
megaloblastic anemia
hereditary spherocytosis
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
See also
Pappenheimer body
See also
Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions in neutrophils