Auer rod

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Auer rods—also known as Auer bodies—are distinctive, crystalline cytoplasmic inclusion bodies that can be identified in the myeloid blast cells of certain hematological diseases. Their presence is particularly associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), as well as high-grade Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Myeloproliferative Disorders.

AML M2 with Auer rods

Composition and Structure[edit | edit source]

Auer rods are composed of fused lysosomes and are rich in lysosomal enzymes. They are azurophilic, meaning they stain readily with the Romanowsky type dyes due to their affinity for acidic dyes like eosin. Morphologically, Auer rods can resemble various shapes such as needles, commas, diamonds, rectangles, corkscrews, or, though rarely, granules.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

The formation of Auer rods is not fully understood, but they are considered to be a byproduct of abnormal myeloid cell development and differentiation seen in certain hematologic malignancies. They are abnormal accumulations of peroxidase-positive material, such as Myeloperoxidase, that are typically not found in normal leukocytes.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

The presence of Auer rods in myeloid precursors is a pathognomonic sign of a pathological process and is critical in the diagnosis of certain types of leukemia. Their detection often involves a bone marrow examination and cytochemical staining, and is an important criterion in the French-American-British (FAB) Classification system used to classify AML.

Associated Conditions[edit | edit source]

Detection and Examination[edit | edit source]

Auer rods are detected through microscopic examination of blood or bone marrow samples. They are especially visible under light microscopy in cells stained with Romanowsky stains, such as Wright's or Giemsa stain. In some cases, they may be seen in peripheral blood smears, but they are more commonly found during bone marrow analysis.

Prognostic Value[edit | edit source]

In some types of leukemia, the presence of Auer rods may have prognostic implications, aiding in risk stratification and treatment planning.

In Medical Education[edit | edit source]

The identification of Auer rods is a key component of medical education in Hematology and Pathology, training healthcare professionals to recognize important diagnostic features of hematological disorders.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Auer rod Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!



Auer rod Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD