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. Its presence usually signifies a damaged or absent spleen, because a healthy spleen would normally filter this type of red blood cell.

A Howell–Jolly body (marked by arrow) within an erythrocyte

The Howell–Jolly body is named after William Henry Howell[1] and Justin Marie Jolly.[2][3]

Appearance
Howell–Jolly bodies: small, round inclusions seen in erythrocytes (peripheral blood – MGG stain)

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.

Causes

Howell–Jolly bodies are seen with markedly decreased splenic function. Common causes include asplenia (post-splenectomy) or congenital absence of spleen (heterotaxy syndrome with asplenia). Spleens are also removed for therapeutic purposes in conditions like hereditary spherocytosis, trauma to the spleen, and autosplenectomy caused by sickle cell anemia. Other causes are radiation therapy involving the spleen, such as that used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma.

Howell–Jolly bodies are also seen in amyloidosis, severe hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The bodies can also can be seen in premature infants.

References
  1. Howell, W. H. "The life-history of the formed elements of the blood, especially the red blood corpuscles" (PDF). Journal of Morphology. New York. 4 (1): 57–116. doi:10.1002/jmor.1050040105.
  2. synd/1596 at Who Named It?
  3. Jolly, J (1908). Recherches sur la formation des globules rouges des mammifères (in French). 58. Paris: Comptes rendus de la Société de Biologie. pp. 528–531.
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