Sea-blue histiocytes in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The first report from the Indian subcontinent.

Sea-blue histiocytes are described in the bone marrow of a 15-year-old male patient suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Cytochemically the storage material in these cells appeared to be glycophospholipid. Lipid analysis of blood leucocytes and nucleated cells of bone marrow showed a significant increase in the phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol as compared to age-matched controls. Serum lipid analysis showed a mild increase of phospholipids as compared to age-matched controls.