Myeloid bodies in patients without clinical Fabry's disease

Electron microscopy of renal biopsy specimens obtained from three patients revealed typical laminated electron-dense bodies (myeloid bodies) previously believed to be diagnostic of Fabry's disease. None of the patients manifested clinical features characteristic of this disorder, and in one patient leukocyte alpha-galactosidase levels were normal. In comparison with patients with either the heterozygous or homozygous expression of Fabry's disease, in our patients the myeloid bodies were much fewer in number. These observations suggest that the findings of occasional myeloid bodies in renal biopsy specimens should be interpreted with caution.