Auer Bodies In Mature Neutrophils

To the Editor:— Auer bodies are rod-shaped inclusions formed from azurophilic granules.¹ These structures have long been recognized in the blast cells of certain patients with leukemia and their presence is considered to be strongly suggestive, if not diagnostic, of acute myeloblastic or monoblastic leukemia.^2-4 Many reports have appeared clarifying the origin,¹ occurrence,^5-8 significance, composition,^9-11 and ultrastructure,¹² of these rods. A review of the literature, however, discloses only two references^9,13 regarding the appearance of Auer bodies in mature polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

We have observed these cytoplasmic inclusions not only in the young leukemic cells but in morphologically mature neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes as well. To our knowledge this curiosity has not been previously photographed.

Report of a Case:— The patient was a 41-year-old salesman who entered the Veterans Administration Hospital complaining of weakness of six weeks' duration. Physical examination revealed generalized pallor and several ecchymoses