Intraerythrocytic precipitations of haemoglobins S and C.

Abstract

HEINZ bodies—intraerythrocytic aggregations of denatured haemoglobin—are characteristically associated with the unstable haemoglobins (Hb), but not with other variants, such as Hbs S or C. In electron microscopy1, the initial Heinz body lesion consists of small precipitations of relatively unaltered haemoglobin. As these enlarge, coalesce and are fixed to erythrocyte membrane, they can be demonstrated by vital staining; eventually they lead to fragmentation of the cell. Precipitations of the unstable Hb Sabine—even those not visible in vital staining—are easily seen in dark field microscopy of unfixed erythrocytes, especially with illumination from a mercury burner2. We now report on such precipitations of Hbs S or C.