Gaucher’s Cells in Thalassemia

Gaucher or Gaucher-like cells are described in the spleen and bone marrow of patient with thalassemia major, by light and electron microscopy. The ultrastructure shows intracytoplasmic tubules and phagocytosis of mature and immature erythrocytes. The spleen has an increase in monohexosyl ceramide. These findings support the concept that the intracytoplasmic tubular material of the Gaucher’s cells is of extracellular origin. Erythrophagocytosis common in Gaucher’s disease, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and thalassemia suggest that impaired catabolism of erythrocytes may give rise to the increased glucocerebroside.