Heinz body preparation - blood
Last updated: Friday, 02, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in EDTA. |
| Method | Fresh blood incubated with supravital stain and examined by microscopy for presence of stained inclusions close to the red cell membrane (Heinz bodies). |
| Reference Interval | Not detected. |
| Application | Investigation of haemolysis (when fragmented spherocytes seen on blood film) or with history of exposure to oxidant chemical or drug. |
| Interpretation | Heinz bodies are denatured globin, and represent the end-product of oxidative degradation of haemoglobin. Heinz bodies may be detected post-splenectomy, with oxidative haemolysis (in normals, but particularly in patients with G-6-PD deficiency) and in patients with unstable haemoglobinopathies. |
| Reference | Dacie JV and Lewis SM. Practical Haematology. 8th ed. Churchill Livingstone 1995. |