Howell-jolly bodies are seen in: September 2005
Sickle cell anemia
Splenectomy
Both of the above
None of the above
Ans. C: Both of the above Howell-Jolly bodies are histopathological findings of basophilic nuclear remnants (clusters of DNA) in circulating erythrocytes. During maturation in the bone marrow erythrocytes normally expel their nuclei, but in some cases a small poion of DNA remains Howell-Jolly bodies are present in some red cells due to asplenia. Common causes of asplenia are splenectomy due to trauma and autosplenectomy caused by sickle cell anemia.