HEINZ BODIES STAINING

STAINING OF HEINZ BODIES

Heinz bodies are denatured molecules of haemoglobin. They can be stained supravitally with methyl violet or cyrstal violet. Specimen Fresh blood anticoagulated with EDTA.

Staining solution

 Methyl violet 0.5 g

 0.9 % sodium chloride 100 ml

Technique

(i) Mix equal volumes of blood and stain.

 (ii) Incubate at 37°C for 20 min 

(iii) Mix and prepare a thin film.

(iv) Dry and examine under the oil-immersion objective.

Heinz bodies are seen as intense purple granules, 1-3 microns in size, situated close to the periphery of the red cells. One large or several small Heinz bodies may be seen in one red cell .

Interpretation 

Heinz bodies are absent in a normal blood specimen. They may appear after splenectomy, in hyposplenism or in haemolytic anaemias e.g. due to G6PD deficiency.