Anitschkow cell (caterpillar cell)

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Introduction

The Anitschkow cell is an activated histiocyte that constitutes one of the inflammatory cells surrounding an area of fibrinoid necrosis in rheumatic heart disease. Some of these cells may be fuse to form multinucleated giant cells (Aschoff cell). The central area of fibrinoid necrosis with its surrounding inflam- matory cells is called an Aschoff body which is pathognomonic of rheumatic fever. The Aschoff cells have abundant amphophilic cytoplasm & central round-to-ovoid nuclei in which the chromatin is disposed in a central, slender, wavy ribbon resembling a caterpillar (hence the name caterpillar cell).

↑ Cotran et al Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 5th ed. W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, PA 1994 pg 547-548