Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 33

Neutrophils with pyknotic nuclei may be mistaken for:

A. Lymphocytes

B. Nucleated RBCs

C. Malignant cells

D. Spindle-shaped cells

Step 1 of 2

Neutrophils in CSF ( Cerebrospinal fluid ):

Increased neutrophils are seen in CSF with fungal, viral, tubercular, and parasitic meningitis.

• Pyknotic nuclei present in neutrophil indicate degeneration of cells

• These nuclei have multiple nuclei

• Pyknotic nuclei resemble red blood cells that are nucleated

• When single nucleus is present, it also resembles red blood cells that are nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs)

• Hence, during microscopic observation, a pyknotic nucleus is mistaken for NRBCs

Therefore, pyknotic nuclei of neutrophils are mistaken for “nucleated RBCs”. Hence, the correct answer is option.