[Clinical, morphological, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies of a female patient with basophilic leukemia]

The morphological, cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of basophilic cells in patients with chronic myeloleukosis were studied. The basophilic elements, dynamically followed up, from all phases of maturation, represented from 48 to 83 per cent of the cellular population in the peripheral blood and marrow. The cytochemical and ultrastructural investigations confirmed their belonging to the basophilic line. Certain changes were found, being an evidence of disorders in the maturation and metabolism of the cells. The high basophilic index, combined with a low neurophilic one, suggest the participation of the basophilic line in the leukosis process. On the base of the results obtained, the conception of the existence of basophilic leukosis is admitted.