Pelger–Huët anomaly

Pelger–Huët anomaly
Other namesPHA
blood smear of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: red blood cells showing marked poikilocytosis, in part related to post-splenectomy status, a central and hypogranular neutrophil with a pseudo-Pelger-Huet nucleus.
Pronunciation
  • English: /ˈpɛlɡər ˈhɛt/ PEL-ghər HOO-ət
    Dutch: [ˈpɛlɣər ˈɦuːɛt]
SpecialtyMedical genetics

Pelger–Huët anomaly is a blood laminopathy associated with the lamin B receptor, wherein several types of white blood cells (neutrophils and eosinophils) have nuclei with unusual shape (being bilobed, peanut or dumbbell-shaped instead of the normal trilobed shape) and unusual structure (coarse and lumpy).

It is a genetic disorder with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Heterozygotes are clinically normal, although their neutrophils may be mistaken for immature cells which may cause mistreatment in a clinical setting. Homozygotes tend to have neutrophils with rounded nuclei that do have some functional problems.