with flowcytometry, cytogenetic and molecular biology findings
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Visceral leishmaniasis

BM MGG (1000×)

Bone marrow aspirate can be very useful in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis and is the recommended diagnostic method when this infection is suspected. Macrophages are increased and they can either seem to be “empty” (red arrow) or contain the organisms (black arrow).

BM MGG (1000×)

The Leishmania organisms can occasionally be observed as extracellular elements; this typically happens when delicate macrophages rupture in the process of slide preparation. These amastigotes are small (3 μm), their cytoplasm stains blue and, apart from a nucleus, they have a small paranuclear kinetoplast, giving them a characteristic “double-dot” appearance (red arrows).

BM MGG (1000×)

The macrophage (red arrow) contains numerous Leishmania organisms with the characteristic “double-dot” appearance. Leishmaniasis is usually associated with a conspicuous increase in plasma cells (black arrows).

BM MGG (1000×)

This picture shows three amastigotes in a monocyte (green arrow) and two plasma cells (black arrow); reactive plasmocytosis is quite typical for leishmaniasis.

BM MGG (1000×)

Three amastigotes are recognisable in the neutrophil segment (green arrow), which is hypergranular and vacuolised (both are reactive changes).

BM MGG (1000×)

A prominent dyserythropoiesis is the next characteristic feature in bone marrow in case of visceral leishmaniasis. Nuclear changes (yellow arrows) are usually seen in most cases.

Atlas of Haematological Cytology [online]. 2016 [cit. 2024-3-28]. Available from WWW: http://www.leukemia-cell.org/atlas.

2024 CELL - Atlas of Haematological Cytology | site map