Description:

Basophilic granules in erythrocytes that are a bit larger than normal and usually contain 10-20 blue colored granules. Basophilic punctations are partially or completely made of RNA. They can be seen in smears colored by Pappenheimer’s method. They can be counted after staining with methylazur after Manson-Schwartz method.

Size:

Changeable.

Shape:

Basophilic punctations in erythrocytes are round or irregularly shaped granules of variable size which are stained blue by Giemsa.

Significance:

They are frequent in anemias as a result of lead or other heavy metals poisoning.