ENHANCED HEINZ BODY FORMATION, CELL-LYSIS AND ANEMIA IN A KOALA (PHASCOLARCTOS-CINEREUS)

Heinz body-mediated lysis of erythrocytes was detected in a free-living koala. The anaemia was markedly regenerative and characterised by ghost cells and numerous large Heinz bodies on peripheral blood films. Endogenous and exogenous causes of increased Heinz body formation were considered. The fact that Heinz bodies are also present in the blood of healthy koalas suggests that this species may be particularly susceptible to oxidant damage of haemoglobin in a manner similar to that occurring in the domestic cat.