Decoy cells

Source

Giovanna Bonfant, Biologist, S.C. Analisi Cliniche, Ospedale Regionale “U. Parini”, Aosta, Italia.

Description

Four decoy cells (arrows) with an enlarged and eccentric nucleus (which give the cells the so-called “comet-like” appearance). These cells (and those shown in image 2), were found in the urine of a 3-year-old immunosuppressed - but not kidney transplant recipient - boy. The active infection by BKV was confirmed by the finding of increased levels of BKV-DNA in both urine and blood.

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