Howell–Jolly body

A Howell–Jolly body is a cytopathological finding of basophilic nuclear remnants (clusters of DNA) in circulating erythrocytes.

During maturation in the bone marrow, late erythroblasts normally expel their nuclei; but, in some cases, a small portion of DNA remains.

[2][3] 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 removed by the spleen during erythrocyte circulation, but will persist in individuals with functional hyposplenia or asplenia.

Common causes include asplenia (post-splenectomy) or congenital absence of spleen (right atrial appendage isomerism).

photomicrograph
A Howell–Jolly body (marked by arrow) within an erythrocyte
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Howell–Jolly bodies: small, round inclusions seen in erythrocytes (peripheral blood – MGG stain)
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Howell–Jolly bodies inside of two normoblasts (center) in bone marrow. Giemsa stain, 1000x.