basophilic stippling
basophilic stippling
A finding in Wright-Giemsa-stained RBCs that appear as “blue” dots, spots and blots within RBCs, consisting of:(1) RNA granules—coarse stippling due to RNA instability in young RBCs, seen in lead poisoning (lead inhibits ALA dehydrogenase and ferrochetolase, impairing haeme incorporation and inhibiting nucleotidase), defective HbC or HbE synthesis, sideroblastic or megaloblastic anaemia, thalassemia major and minor, preleukaemic states and pyrimidine 5’-nucleotidase deficiency;
(2) Aggregates of precipitated ribosomes—fine stippling, resulting in diffuse polychromasia secondary to increased RBC production in thalassemia, malabsorption and pernicious anaemia.