Circulating Siderocytes in Human Subjects

Abstract

The number of circulating erythrocytes containing reticulum and no siderotic granules (R cells), both reticulum and siderotic granules (R-S cells), and siderotic granules and no reticulum (S cells) was determined in 80 normal adults, 7 normal newborns and 486 patients with hematologic disorders. Few R-S cells (maximum 0.3 per cent) or S cells (maximum 0.2 per cent) were observed in the blood of normal adults. The number of siderocytes as observed in the direct Prussian blue method (direct-total siderocytes) did not exceed 0.7 per cent. R-S cells greater than 1.0 per cent and direct-total siderocytes greater than 2.0 per cent were observed in each of 7 normal newborns. Among the 486 patients, R-S cells more numerous than 1.0 per cent, S cells greater than 1.0 per cent, or direct-total siderocytes greater than 2.0 per cent were observed only in four conditions. Increases in R-S cells were seen in patients with severe hemolytic anemia and in patients with sideroblastic anemia associated with mild hemolysis. Increases in S cells were seen in splenectomized patients in the absence of hemolysis. Increases both in R-S cells and S cells were seen in patients with splenic atrophy or replacement and in splenectomized patients in the presence of hemolysis.

Relationship between Plasma Ferritin Level and Siderocyte Number in Splenectomizedβ-Thalassemia/HbE Patients

“…It is useful for diagnosis of iron overload, although at present it is not often employed for this purpose. However, by using Prussian blue staining iron deposition in red blood cells can be readily visualized, appearing as blue-green granules in the red blood cell cytoplasm [ 4 ].…”