[Histonet] Charcot-Leyden crystals

[alan taylor]

Hazel

Charcot-Leyden crystals are frequent findings in faecal samples and sputum submitted for microscopical study, the crystals are easily demonstrated,if present,  by making a simple 'wet' prep and adding a drop of Gram's Iodine under the coverslip.

Charcot-Leyden crystals in faecal submissions should lead the investigator to seek the presence of parasitic infection from particularly helminthiasis. Note that Charcot-Leyden crystals are virtually absent from samples of bacillary dysentery, but are frequently found in samples of faeces containing the various amoeba spp. Several other intestinal parasitic worm species result in the presence of Charcot-Leyden crystals.

Within sputum Charcot-Leyden crystals are found in cases submitted from bronchial asthma sufferers, the crystals are often found within Curschmann's spirals that are a feature of this disease. Lung diseases such as Paragonimus ringeri & P westermani , typically found in the region of the Phillipines and Japan, are fluke diseases that result in the presence of Charcot-Leyden crystals from the haemoptic sputum. The crystals have also been found in pus from amoebic liver abcesses that have found their route of discharge through the lungs. 

Hope this info is helpful to you.

A very happy Christmas & New Year to everybody out there in Histoland.

Alan Taylor
Microtechnical Services
Exeter
Devon
England