Sideroblastic Anaemia, Mitochondria and Erythroblastic Iron

Abstract

T he variety of terms used to describe the hypersideraemic hypersiderotic anaemia associated with normoblastic bone marrow which is refractory to treatment reflects the impression that these disorders have diverse causes (Dacie, Smith, White and Mollin, 1959; Bernard, Lortholary, Levy, Bonon, Najean and Tanzer, 1963; Heilmeyer, 1963). Despite valid objections, they are often referred to as ‘sideroblastic anaemias’. The term ‘sideroblastic anaemia’ at least affords a discrete point of cytological reference which infers a pathogenetic significance of the sideroblast. It is desirable, therefore, to inquire as to the morphological nature of the sideroblast.