3.2: Cabot Rings

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: An image from a peripheral blood smear showing a cabot ring. 100x oil immersion. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3B854027

Appearance:

Red-purple inclusions that appear as a loop, ring, or figure-eight shape and span the diameter of the red blood cell. 1-2 cabot rings may be seen in a single cell.¹

Note: Finding is rare, and not to be confused with malaria.

Inclusion composition:¹

Remnant microtubules of mitotic spindle

Associated Disease/Clinical States:^1-3

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS; Dyserythropoiesis)

Megaloblastic Anemia

Lead poisoning

References:

1. Rodak BF, Carr JH. Inclusions in erythrocytes. In: Clinical hematology atlas. 5th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.; 2017. p. 107-14.

2. Landis-Piwowar K, Landis J, Keila P. The complete blood count and peripheral blood smear evaluation. In: Clinical laboratory hematology. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2015. p. 154-77.

3. Turgeon ML. Erythrocyte morphology and inclusions. In: Clinical hematology: theory and procedures. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999. p. 99-111.