An unusual ultrastructural neutrophil abnormality of unknown function1

Abstract

An unusual ultrastructural abnormality of neutrophils is reported in two patients who had bronchogenic carcinoma and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, respectively. The abnormal neutrophils contained numerous elongated nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions measuring up to 3 by 0.1 μm. Although the chemical nature, etiology, and functional significance of these inclusions are unknown, they may represent an acquired and reversible neutrophil disorder. In contrast to earlier reported cases, neither patient had infectious complications when the abnormality was found.