Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Practice Exam

Pappenheimer bodies and Howell-Jolly bodies can both be identified using the Wright-Giemsa stain, which is commonly used in hematology to differentiate various cellular components in blood smears.

Pappenheimer bodies are small, round deposits of iron that can be found within red blood cells, often associated with conditions such as sideroblastic anemia or hemolytic anemia. When stained with Wright-Giemsa, they appear as small, blue granules due to the presence of iron, highlighting their characteristic nature.

Howell-Jolly bodies are remnants of nuclear material that can be seen in red blood cells, typically in patients who have undergone splenectomy or in certain hemolytic anemias. Wright-Giemsa stain will color these bodies as well, allowing them to be visualized as distinct, round, basophilic (blue-staining) inclusions within the red blood cells.

Both types of inclusions stain positively because they contain components that react with the stain, making it possible to easily identify them under a microscope. Thus, stating that both will stain positive is accurate, as it reflects the staining properties of each type of body when examined under the conditions provided by the Wright-Giemsa stain.