Review article
Heinz bodies in clinical and experimental toxicology
Tihomil Beritić
; Institut za higijenu rada Zagreb
Abstract
1. In this review current opinions on the significance of Heinz bodies in clinical and experimental toxicology are presented. 2. The name »Heinz bodies« is accepted as the only term which does not emphasize any of the many objectionable characteristics of the phenomenon. 3. Methods of detection and quantitative determination of Heinz bodies are described. 4. His believed that Schmauch's bodies as seen in normal cats are not only identical to Heinz bodies but that the former phenomenon is probably the morphological prototype of the latter. 5. Differential characteristics of erythrocytic inclusions (basophilic stippling, reticulo-filamentous substance, siderotic granules and Howell-Jolly bodies) are summarized. There is a good deal of evidence that Heinz bodies are chromatologically and biologically identical to the marginal bodies of Rohl (corpora marginalia). 6. Variation in form of Heinz bodies which observed also in our own »in vitro« experiments is believed ·to be due to a variety of experimental conditions. 7. Role of the spleen in experimental as well as in clinical Heinz body formation is reviewed and discussed. 8. Some of the substances which are capable of producing Heinz bodies in vitro and/or in vivo, are listed. 9. The validity of Heinz body phenomenon in the study of the metabolism of certain organic compounds is emphasized. 10. The theories concerning the relationship between methemoglobin or verdoglobin and Heinz bodies are cited. Heubner's conclusion that the occurrence of Heinz bodies, methemoglobin and verdoglobin are three separate and independent phenomena is accepted as the most probable. The only common characteristic of these three phenomena is the oxydative nature of their formation. 11. It is pointed out that in the cases of congenital idiopathic methemoglobinemia there are no Heinz bodies in spite of the high level of methemoglobin. There is no connection between methemoglobinemia and anemia either. The presence of porphyrinuria in hemolytic anemias with Heinz body formation is explained. 12. Diagnostic, prognostic and preventive significance of Heinz bodies is emphasized.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
188197
URI
Publication date:
26.9.1951.
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