Heinz body

Heinz body

Heinz bodies (also referred to as "Heinz-Ehrlich bodies") are inclusions within red blood cells composed of denatured hemoglobin. [MeshName|Heinz+Bodies] [ [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/3/697 "Unstable Hemoglobins: The Role of Heme Loss in Heinz Body Formation"] Jacon, Harry and Winterhalter, Kaspar, "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", Vol. 64, No3, pp. 697-701, March 1970]

They are named after Robert Heinz (1865-1924), a German physician who in 1890 described these inclusions in connection with cases of hemolytic anemia. [WhoNamedIt|synd|658] [R. Heinz. Morphologische Veränderungen des roten Blutkörperchens durch Gifte. [Virchows] Archiv für pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für klinische Medizin, Berlin, 1890, 122: 112-116.]

Form and appearance

).clinical featuressudden onset of back pain with haemoglobinuria 2 to 3 days after exposure to oxidative stress

Etiology and associated disorders

Heinz bodies are formed by damage to the hemoglobin component molecules, usually through oxidations, which causes the damaged molecules to precipitate and damage the cell membrane. Damaged cells are attacked by macrophages in the spleen, where the precipitate and damaged membrane are removed, leading to characteristic "bite cells". The denaturing process is irreversible and the continual elimination of damaged cells leads to Heinz body anemia.

There are several pathways leading to the hemoglobin damage.
* In α-thalassemia Lack of α subunits causes β subunits to form tetramers which precipitate out of solution creating Heinz bodies.
* G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency brought on by administration of oxidant drugs (e.g., primaquine) also can result in Heinz bodies.
* Heinz bodies can also be found in chronic liver disease.cite web |url=http://www.aafp.org/afp/20011015/1379.html |title=Anemia in Children - October 15, 2001 - American Family Physician |format= |work= |accessdate=]

Veterinary

In veterinary medicine Heinz bodies are associated with the consumptions of onions by cats, [ [http://www.monkeyzone.com/anemia.html Anemia caused by onions] Wissman, Margaret A., "Simian", date unknown] dogs, and various primates, and a symptom of paracetamol poisoning in cats. Thiosulfate compounds in the flesh of onions have been identified as the cause.

Propylene glycol was once a common ingredient in soft moist cat food. According to the FDA "It was known for some time that propylene glycol caused Heinz Body formation in the red blood cells of cats (small clumps of proteins seen in the cells when viewed under the microscope), but it could not be shown to cause overt anemia or other clinical effects. However, recent reports in the veterinary literature of scientifically sound studies have shown that propylene glycol reduces the red blood cell survival time, renders red blood cells more susceptible to oxidative damage, and has other adverse effects in cats consuming the substance at levels found in soft-moist food. [ [http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/CLERK/Tarigo/index.php "Heinz Body Anemia in Cats"] Tarigo-Martinie, Jaime and Krimer, Paula (accessed Sept. 2006)] In light of this new data, CVM amended the regulations to expressly prohibit the use of propylene glycol in cat foods."cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/cvm/petlabel.htm |title=Pet Food Labels - General |format= |work= |accessdate=]

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Heinz bodies; however they are important as a diagnostic indicator for the causative conditions listed above.

References

External links

* [http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/hematology/HessEDD/BenignHematologicDisorders/redbloodcelldisorders/heinz-body.cfm Heinz Bodies] : Photo at University of Virginia


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Heinz body — hīnts n a cellular inclusion in a red blood cell that consists of damaged aggregated hemoglobin and is associated with some forms of hemolytic anemia Heinz Robert (1865 1924) German physician. Heinz did research in dermatology and metallic… …   Medical dictionary

  • Heinz body anemias — a group of hemolytic anemias of diverse etiology with the common morphologic characteristic of having Heinz bodies within affected erythrocytes …   Medical dictionary

  • Heinz — may refer to: People with the surname Heinz: Drue Heinz, American arts patron H. John Heinz III (1938–1991), U.S. senator from Pennsylvania H. John Heinz IV (born 1966), eldest son of Senator John Heinz H. J. Heinz II (1908–1987), one time CEO of …   Wikipedia

  • Heinz (disambiguation) — Heinz may refer to:People with the surname Heinz: *Drue Heinz, American arts patron *H. John Heinz III (1938–1991), U.S. senator from Pennsylvania *H. John Heinz IV (b. 1966), eldest son of Senator John Heinz *H. J. Heinz II (1908–1987), one time …   Wikipedia

  • Heinz bodies — Heinz Ehrlich bodies coccoid inclusion bodies resulting from oxidative injury to and precipitation of hemoglobin, seen in the presence of abnormal hemoglobins such as Hb H, Hb Kцln, etc. and in erythrocytes with enzyme deficiencies. Refractile… …   Medical dictionary

  • Heinz Prechter — (January 19, 1942 ndash; July 6, 2001) a German born entrepreneur who founded the American Sunroof Company (ASC) was a quintessential entrepreneur, legendary visionary, community leader and philanthropist. He was a close friend and avid… …   Wikipedia

  • Heinz-Ehrlich bodies — Heinz Ehr·lich bodies (hīntsґ erґlik) [R. Heinz; Paul Ehrlich, German bacteriologist, 1854–1915] see under body …   Medical dictionary

  • body — 1. The head, neck, trunk, and extremities. The human b., consisting of head (caput), neck (collum), trunk (truncus), and limbs (membra). 2. The material part of a human, as distinguished from the …   Medical dictionary

  • Heinz Memorial Chapel — Infobox nrhp name = Heinz Memorial Chapel nrhp type = cp imagesize = 250px caption = Heinz Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA nearest city = lat degrees = 40 lat minutes = 26 lat seconds = 43 lat… …   Wikipedia

  • Heinz — Robert, German pathologist, 1865–1924. See H. body anemia, H. bodies, under body, H. body test, H. Ehrlich body, H. body anemia …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”