Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions in the neutrophils of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The authors have observed discrete, densely basophilic inclusions in the peripheral blood neutrophils of 10 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and two additional patients without documented evidence of human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity. These inclusions were seen in 3 of 25 (12%) patients with AIDS in a retrospective review. Gram, periodic acid-Schiff, and Gomori methenamine silver stains failed to demonstrate staining of these bodies; however, the Feulgen reaction was positive. The inclusions may represent "apoptotic" nuclear fragments and thus may be similar to Howell-Jolly bodies of normoblasts in abnormal erythropoiesis. An association of these inclusions with nucleoside analogue antiviral therapy is indicated. These inclusions must be differentiated from intracytoplasmic infectious agents, Döhle bodies, and inclusions of inherited disorders.