A 34-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. One month ago, he underwent splenectomy after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. He recovered uneventfully and was discharged. Examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies reveal: Blood cultures are obtained, and appropriate pharmacotherapy is initiated. His peripheral blood smear is shown in the exhibit. The smear findings indicated by the arrow most likely reflect which of the following processes?

Question

A 34-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. One month ago, he underwent splenectomy after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. He recovered uneventfully and was discharged. Examination shows no abnormalities.  Laboratory studies reveal:  Blood cultures are obtained, and appropriate pharmacotherapy is initiated.  His peripheral blood smear is shown in the exhibit.  The smear findings indicated by the arrow most likely reflect which of the following processes?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Howell-Jolly bodies on peripheral smear reflect splenic dysfunction or asplenia, which occurs in sickle cell disease due to recurrent infarction of the splenic vasculature.  Functional asplenia increases the risk of invasive infection with encapsulated organisms.

A 34-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician for a Follow-Up