Eosinophils possess highly electron-dense granules with crystal-like structures and are characterized as high side scatter (SSC) areas by flow cytometry analysis. Eosinophils with low SSC features have been noted in extremely rare cases; however, the underlying cause remains unclear. Eosinophils in the low SSC area were analyzed using microscopy. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the loss of crystal-like structures in granules with low electron density and piecemeal degranulation (PMD), which was undetectable by May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining. Based on the results of flow cytometry, May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and TEM, SSC values could help potentially detect crystal-like structures and PMD eosinophils.
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