Types of Abnormal Red Blood Cell Inclusions and their Causes
| Type (Composition) | Causes of Inclusions |
|---|---|
| Heinz bodies (denatured Hgb) |  -ThalassemiaG-6-PD deficiency Hemolytic anemias Methemoglobinemia Splenectomy Drugs: analgesics, antimalarials, antipyretics, nitrofurantoin (Furadantin), nitrofurazone (Furacin), phenylhydrazine, sulfonamides, tolbutamide, vitamin K (large doses) |
| Basophilic stippling (residual cytoplasmic RNA) | Anemia caused by liver disease Lead poisoning Thalassemia |
| Howell-Jolly bodies (fragments of residual DNA) | Splenectomy Intense or abnormal RBC production resulting from hemolysis or inefficient erythropoiesis |
| Cabot's rings (composition unknown) | Same as for Howell-Jolly bodies |
| Siderotic granules (iron-containing granules) | Abnormal iron metabolism Abnormal hemoglobin manufacture |