A 24-year-old man with long-standing asthma brings a sputum sample to the clinic. Microscopic examination of the sputum is most likely to show which of the following pairs of findings?
- A Charcot-Leyden crystals and Curschmann spirals ✓
- B Ferruginous bodies and asbestos fibers
- C Asteroid bodies and Schaumann bodies
- D Eosinophilic granular casts and hemosiderin-laden macrophages
Correct answer: A. Charcot-Leyden crystals and Curschmann spirals
Explanation
Asthmatic sputum contains Curschmann spirals, which are coiled strands of mucus from small airways, and Charcot-Leyden crystals, which are breakdown products of eosinophil lysophospholipase. Eosinophils are also abundant in the sputum and blood during attacks. Ferruginous bodies indicate asbestos exposure, asteroid and Schaumann bodies occur in sarcoidosis, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages point to alveolar hemorrhage, so none of these fit asthma.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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