Iron stain (Prussian blue)

Abstract:
Hemosiderin is visualized by the Prussian blue stain. Hemosiderin represents iron stores.

Assessment:
Hemosiderin stains blue. The iron content of the bone marrow can be determined by the iron stain, which is a good parameter of the body's iron content. Normally, hemosiderin deposits (sideroblasts) are found in a maximum of 4% of the normoblasts. In disorders of hemesynthesis, hemosiderin accumulates in the ring-shaped mitochondria arranged around the nucleus (ringed sideroblasts).
Pappenheimer bodies in the May-Gruenwald-Giemsa stain correspond to hemosiderin occlusions. They typically occur after splenectomy. In the iron stain of the blood film, the Pappenheimer bodies stain blue. Then they are referred to as siderocytes.

Indication:
A bone marrow procedure is not necessary for the clinical evaluation of iron deficiency anemia. However, if an aspiration was performed, the demonstration of missing iron stores is diagnostic.
The detection of ringed sideroblasts is of decisive importance for the diagnosis of sideroachrestic anemia.