Observations on the glitter-cell phenomenon.

Abstract

THE "glitter cell," a polymorphonuclear leukocyte whose granules show brownian movement, was first described in 1908.1 As early as 1909 the presence of these cells in urinary sediments was considered evidence of pyelonephritis and against cystitis.2 In the following years there were occasional descriptions of cells with granular motility in blood and sputum, but it was not until 1949 that the glitter cell, or granular-motility cell, was reintroduced to clinical medicine by Sternheimer and Malbin.3 These investigators described a supravital stain, compounded of gentian violet and safranine, that facilitated recognition of such cells and of other formed elements in urine. . . .