Cabot Rings

Q: Cabot ring is a sign of poisoning with which element?

Answer: Lead poisoning

Cabot rings are RBС inclusions. It appears as fine, purple filamentous loops in "figure of eight" arrangements. They are probably remnants from the mitotic spindle. The usual causes are

• megaloblastic anemiа
• severe aոemiа
• lead poisoning
• leukemia

#hematology

#toxicity

References:

1. Hapgood G, Roy S. A mysterious case of Dr Cabot. Br J Haematol 2013; 162:719.

2. Kass L. Origin and composition of Cabot rings in pernicious anemia. Am J Clin Pathol 1975; 64:53.

3. Rothmann C, Malik Z, Cohen AM. Spectrally resolved imaging of Cabot rings and Howell-Jolly bodies. Photochem Photobiol 1998; 68:584.