Cytoplasmic bridges between mammalian red blood cells: an early indication of kidney dysfunction.

Scanning electron microscopy, correlated with hematological and clinical biochemical observations demonstrated that cytoplasmic bridges develop between the erythrocytes of sheep in which varying degrees of acute renal dysfunction has been produced by treatment with a toxin (uranyl nitrate) or by surgical ligation of a renal artery or ureter. The presence of cytoplasmic bridges between red blood cells was noted prior to clinical indication of renal dysfunction. Thus, these preliminary studies indicate that the development of cytoplasmic bridges between erythrocytes may be a diagnostic clue for early detection of renal dysfunction.