What causes dark granules called Dohle bodies in the cytoplasm of canine neutrophils?

What causes dark granules called Dohle bodies in the cytoplasm of canine neutrophils?

• A. Leukemia
• B. Parasitic infection
• C. Immaturity
• D. Toxemia

Answer: (D)

Döhle bodies reflect toxic changes in neutrophils, which occur during a severe inflammatory or toxic state such as toxemia. They are pale blue, oval or irregular inclusions in the cytoplasm that represent aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. When the body is fighting a heavy infection or endotoxemia, neutrophil production ramps up and cells are released with accelerated maturation; the cytoplasm retains these ribosomal remnants, producing the characteristic blue inclusions. This is why Döhle bodies are commonly seen in toxemic conditions. They aren’t specific to leukemia or a parasitic infection, and while infection can bring in immature neutrophils, Döhle bodies specifically signal toxic cytoplasmic changes due to the inflammatory milieu rather than immaturity alone.

Döhle bodies reflect toxic changes in neutrophils, which occur during a severe inflammatory or toxic state such as toxemia. They are pale blue, oval or irregular inclusions in the cytoplasm that represent aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. When the body is fighting a heavy infection or endotoxemia, neutrophil production ramps up and cells are released with accelerated maturation; the cytoplasm retains these ribosomal remnants, producing the characteristic blue inclusions. This is why Döhle bodies are commonly seen in toxemic conditions. They aren’t specific to leukemia or a parasitic infection, and while infection can bring in immature neutrophils, Döhle bodies specifically signal toxic cytoplasmic changes due to the inflammatory milieu rather than immaturity alone.