Basophilic Stippling and a Teardrop Cell (Dacrocyte)

This image was taken from the March 2001 Cytohematology Proficiency Test Event - Slide 036. Basophilic stippling and teardrop cells are in abundance on this slide.  Basophilic stippling appears as round, dark-blue granules in red blood cells on smears stained with supra vital stains such as brilliant cresyl blue. They may be observed in lead poisoning, exposure to some drugs, severe burns, anemias, or septicemia. The granules are precipitated ribosomes and mitochondria. Teardrop shaped red blood cells are found in myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative disorders, pernicious anemia, thalassemia, myeloid metaplasia, and some hemolytic anemias. Back to Slide 036