CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Lab Physicians 2021; 13(04): 291-295
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730817
Original Article

The Value of Duodenal Biopsies in the Evaluation of Megaloblastic Anemia

Nisha N. Nasrin
1   PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
2   Department of Pathology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
R. K. Kartikayan
3   Department of Gastroenterology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
› Author Affiliations
 

Abstract

Introduction Megaloblastic anemia is one of the common causes of anemia in India. Duodenal biopsies are routinely performed in the investigation of megaloblastic anemia. The present study was undertaken to analyze the value of duodenal biopsy in megaloblastic anemia and to correlate endoscopic findings with biopsy. As a secondary aim, the study has also analyzed the hematological profile and vitamin B12 and folate status of these patients.

Materials and Methods All the cases of megaloblastic anemia with bone marrow studies diagnosed at PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research during the two year period from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrieved. Clinical and laboratory findings (serum vitamin B12 and folate levels) and endoscopic findings were retrieved from hospital records of the patients. Duodenal biopsies of these patients reported in the histopathology department were retrieved and reviewed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software 20.0.

Results There were 93 cases of megaloblastic anemia diagnosed on bone marrow biopsies. Tropical sprue was diagnosed in 49.5% of cases, followed by intraepithelial lymphocytosis (17.2%), peptic duodenitis (17.2%), and no significant pathology in 16% of cases. Pancytopenia was present in 54.8% of cases. Isolated vitamin B12 deficiency including low levels was present in 48.38% and folate deficiency was seen in 4.3% cases; 34.48% cases had both vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.

Conclusion The incidence of tropical sprue in megaloblastic anemia is 49.5% in the study. Duodenal biopsy is valuable in the work up of megaloblastic anemia, irrespective of the endoscopic changes in identifying the etiology.


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Introduction

Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by the distinctive morphological appearance of developing hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, resulting from nuclear cytoplasmic asynchrony, occurring as a result of defective deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis.[1] The cause is usually nutritional deficiency or malabsorption of either cobalamin (vitamin B12) and/or folate. Malabsorption can result from gastrectomy, tropical and nontropical sprue, intestinal resection, and drugs. It can also occur in defects of metabolism of these vitamins.[2] While pernicious anemia is reported to be the common cause for megaloblastic anemia in Western countries, dietary deficiency and malabsorption are the common causes in India.[3] [4] Duodenal biopsies are routinely performed in patients with megaloblastic anemia to look for any evidence of malabsorption since tropical sprue (TS) is reported to be more prevalent in India. These biopsies are performed irrespective of the macroscopic endoscopic findings. The present study was undertaken to study the value of duodenal biopsy in patients of megaloblastic anemia and correlate the biopsy findings with endoscopy. As a secondary aim, the study also analyzed the hematological profile of patients with megaloblastic anemia.


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Materials and Methods

Approval was obtained from the institutional human ethics committee before the onset of the study. All the cases of megaloblastic anemia with bone marrow studies diagnosed at PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research during the period of 2 years from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrieved. Cases with nonmegaloblastic macrocytic anemia, those with other associated neoplastic conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome, and leukemia were excluded from the study. Hematology assays were performed on a LH 780 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Inc., United States) using volume conductivity and scatter technology. Clinical and laboratory findings (serum vitamin B12 and folate levels) were retrieved from hospital records of the patients. Duodenal biopsies of these patients reported in the histopathology department were retrieved. Endoscopic findings of these cases were retrieved from hospital information system and tabulated. Histopathological examination was performed after standard processing and hematoxylin and eosin staining procedures. All the biopsy slides were reviewed and only those that had well-oriented villi were included. Histomorphological features like villous and crypt architecture, intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) count per hundred enterocytes, and 20 villous tip enterocytes in 5 villi were studied. Up to 20 IELs per 100 enterocytes was considered normal; 21 to 30 IELs per 100 enterocytes and more than 30 per 100 enterocytes were graded as borderline and severe increase, respectively. Inflammatory cell component in lamina propria—lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and epithelioid histiocytes were also analyzed and the severity was graded as mild, moderate, and severe.

Only those with unequivocal partial or complete villous atrophy, intraepithelial lymphocytosis, and increase in inflammatory cell content were diagnosed as TS. Patients with increase in IELs and no abnormality of villous architecture (Marsh I, lesion) were categorized as intraepithelial lymphocytosis. Data were analyzed using SPSS software for windows, version 20.0, IBM Corporation, NY, United States.


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Results

There were 93 cases of megaloblastic anemia diagnosed on bone marrow biopsies during the study period. There were 68 (73.2%) males and 25 (26.8%) females. Age ranged from 16 to 85 years, the median age being 42 years. Out of 93 cases, vitamin B12 assay was done in all whereas folate levels were available in 73.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin B12 status in adults is defined by the serum levels of the micronutrient with the following cutoffs and definitions: greater than 221 pmol/L (> 163 pg/mL) is vitamin “B12 adequacy”; between 148 and 221 pmol/L (109–163 pg/mL) is “low B12”; and lower than 148 pmol/L (< 109 pg/mL) is “B12 deficiency.”[5]

In our series we found 59 (63.4%) out of 93 patients to be vitamin B12 deficient. 18 (19.3%) had low vitamin B12 levels and 16 (17.2%) were categorized as to have adequate B12. Out of the 16 patients with adequate B12, 4 had folate deficiency. Five cases had vitamin B12 levels more than 2,000 pg/mL.

Isolated vitamin B12 deficiency including low levels was present in 45 (48.38%) patients and folate deficiency (4 ng/mL, reference range being 4.6–34.8 ng/mL) was seen in 4 (4.3%) patients; 32 (34.48%) patients had both vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Twelve (12.9%) patients had normal serum vitamin B12 and folate levels.

Considering the hematological parameters, mean hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the patients were 6.68 g/dL and 103.9 fL, respectively. MCV was less than 90 fL in five patients (5%). These five patients had coexisting iron deficiency anemia ([Table 1]).

Table 1

Hematological profile of patients with megaloblastic anemia

Hematological parameters

Mean

Range

Hemoglobin (g/dL)

6.2 + 2.37

3.0–11.9

Mean corpuscular volume (fL)

103.9 + 15.49

51.8–144.4

Red cell distribution width (%)

19.2

16–28

Platelets (×109/L)

83.8

9–315

Total leucocyte count (×109/L)

3.1

1–18.1

Fifty-one patients (54.8%) had pancytopenia at presentation (defined by hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL, total WBC count less than 4 × 109/L and platelet count less than 150 × 109/L), 48 of whom had vitamin B12 levels < 30 pg/mL. Forty patients had bicytopenia and two had anemia. Peripheral smear and bone marrow morphology are highlighted in [Figs. 1] and [2].

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Peripheral smear with hypersegmented neutrophil and macro-ovalocyte (100×).
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Fig. 2 Bone marrow aspirate showing megaloblastic erythroid hyperplasia (100×).

Duodenal biopsies were available for all 93 patients. Out of these, 46 (49.46%) patients who had villous blunting of any degree (mild, moderate, or severe) and intraepithelial lymphocytosis in a decrescendo pattern (more IELs in the crypts) and nucleomegaly were diagnosed as TS ([Figs. 3] and [4]). Five other cases of TS diagnosed previously did not show unequivocal villous blunting and hence were categorized as intraepithelial lymphocytosis. Sixteen (17.2%) patients had only intraepithelial lymphocytosis, 16 (17.2%) had peptic duodenitis, and 15 (16.12%) had no significant pathology ([Fig. 5]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Duodenal biopsy with villous blunting (4×, Hematoxylin and Eosin).
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Fig. 4 Duodenal biopsy with variable villous blunting (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 4×).
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Fig. 5 Duodenal biopsy with marked intraepithelial lymphocytosis (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 40×).

TS was found to be more frequent in the three groups (isolated vitamin B12 deficiency, isolated folate deficiency, and combined B12 and folate deficiency). TS was less frequent in the patients who had normal vitamin B12 and folate levels ([Table 2]).

Table 2

Duodenal biopsy findings in patients with vitamin B12 and folate deficiency

Number of cases (N = 93)

Tropical sprue

Intraepithelial lymphocytosis

Peptic duodenitis

No significant pathology

Vitamin B12 deficiency

n = 45

24 (53.3%)

8 (17.7%)

5 (11.1%)

8 (17.7%)

Folate deficiency

n = 4

3 (75%)

1 (25%)

Both

n = 32

17 (53.1%)

6 (18.75%)

6 (18.75%)

4 (12.5%)

Normal

n = 12

2 (16.6%)

2 (16.6%)

4 (33.36%)

3 (25%)

Endoscopic macroscopic changes pertaining to malabsorption like scalloped duodenal and attenuated duodenal folds were identified in 26.8% (n = 25) of patients. Of these, the biopsy diagnosis of TS was made in 15 patients (60%). The remaining cases of TS diagnosed on biopsy showed either normal endoscopic appearance or other features like nodularity ([Table 3]).

Table 3

Endoscopic findings with histological diagnosis

N = 93

Tropical sprue

(n = 46)

Intraepithelial lymphocytosis (n = 16)

Peptic duodenitis

(n = 16)

No significant pathology

(n = 15)

Scalloped duodenal folds

n = 25

15 (60%)

2 (8%)

3 (12%)

5 (20%)

Nodularity

n = 25

10 (40%)

6 (24%)

3 (12%)

6 (24%)

Gastroduodenitis

n = 12

6 (50%)

2 (16.6%)

1 (8.33%)

3 (25%)

No macroscopic abnormality

n = 31

15 (48.5%)

6 (19.3%)

8 (25.8%)

2 (6.45%)


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Discussion

Megaloblastic anemia is one of the commonest causes for pancytopenia in India. It has a characteristic peripheral smear picture (macrocytosis, ovalocytes, and hypersegmented neutrophils) and low reticulocyte count.[2] Bone marrow examination is done to rule out other neoplastic disorders which can have megaloblastosis, like myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia. Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels will point toward the cause for megaloblastic anemia.[6] [7] Duodenal biopsies are performed to identify if there is any evidence of malabsorption. The study reports a male predominance with a ratio of 2.7:1 which is considerably higher when compared with a vast majority of other studies.[8] [9] The possible explanation could be the higher population of elderly men in the series in whom vitamin B12 deficiency due to intestinal malabsorption are reported to be common.[10]

Cobalamin and folate deficiency are predominantly due to decreased dietary intake or malabsorption in Indian population while pernicious anemia has been reported to be the common etiology in Western population.[11] [12] Vitamin B12 deficiency has been reported to be the common cause for megaloblastic anemia in our population constituting to 63%, similar to that of Khandhuri et al (68%)[8] and Sarode et al (76%).[9] Combined vitamin B12 and folate deficiency was seen in 34% of cases which is slightly higher when compared with 8.8% and 12% reported by Sarode et al and Khandhuri et al, respectively. This is probably because of higher percentage of people with malabsorption in this series where combined micronutrient deficiencies are common. Folate deficiency was seen in 4.3% of patients which is similar to other studies. The cases with vitamin B12 levels greater than 2,000 pg/mL could represent cases treated inadvertently with vitamin B12 injections prior to investigation.

Pancytopenia and bicytopenia were observed in 54.8% and 43% of the patients, respectively. There are wide variations reported for the frequency of pancytopenia ranging from 17.2 to 43.8%.[13] [14] Another study done in South India has reported pancytopenia in 40% of the patients.[15] The higher incidence of pancytopenia in our population can be attributed to severe vitamin B12 deficiency in these patients (48 out of 51 had vitamin B12 levels < 30 pg/mL). Mean MCV observed in the current study was 103.9 + 15.49 fL, which is lower when compared with that reported by Chidambaram et al (110 fL).[15] MCV was found to be normal in 5.3% of the patients which is lower than another study.[14]

TS was the commonest biopsy diagnosis in the study accounting for 49.5% of patients diagnosed as having megaloblastic anemia, which is similar to most other studies.[16] [17] Endoscopic finding of scalloped duodenal folds was identified in 32.6% of TS. In the remaining cases, the diagnosis was possible only with the help of biopsy.

The diagnostic yield of gastrointestinal endoscopy is low in our study. This could be because subtle endoscopic changes were not documented since duodenal biopsies were routinely done in all the patients with megaloblastic anemia. However, Sharma et al[18] in their systematic review had found normal duodenal folds to be more common in TS.

Intraepithelial lymphocytosis without villous abnormality was the second commonest biopsy finding identified in 34.7% of patients. IEL without villous abnormality had been reported in various conditions such as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, infections, autoimmune conditions, drugs, and idiopathic etiology.[19] It has also been reported to be an early morphological feature of sprue.[19] [20]

TS and IEL without villous abnormality together constituted 66.6% of cases, indicating malabsorption as the etiology for vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in these cases. Hence, biopsy contributes in identifying the etiology in 66.6% of cases.

In the remaining cases, the etiology of megaloblastic anemia could have been dietary deficiency or intrinsic factor deficiency.

Although the guidelines for investigation of megaloblastic anemia recommends serological assays of anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (anti-IFAB)[5] the incidence of pernicious anemia is very low in India. Duodenal biopsies have become a routine practice in the workup more based on the evidence of high number of cases of TS being reported. Anti-IFAB levels were not done in the patients in the study.

It was found in the present study that routine duodenal biopsy in cases of megaloblastic anemia yields etiologic information in majority of the cases, irrespective of endoscopy. Hence it is recommended even in the absence of macroscopic endoscopic changes.

Current spectrum of malabsorption in India has found celiac sprue to be increasing in incidence.[19] Since the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic difference between celiac and tropical sprue are not well defined, serum antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and endomysial antibodies are needed in cases where there is no response to therapy for TS.

Limitations

Since this is a retrospective study, follow-up of patients to look for response to therapy for TS is not available. Since the study was conducted in a teaching hospital, endoscopy being done by different endoscopists would have influenced the results. Serological tests for celiac sprue and anti-IFAB antibodies were not done in the study.


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Conclusion

Pancytopenia was the commonest presentation of megaloblastic anemia; vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency constituted 82% and 4.3%, respectively. The incidence of TS in megaloblastic anemia is as high as 49.5% in the study population. Duodenal biopsy is valuable in the workup of megaloblastic anemia, irrespective of the endoscopic changes in identifying the etiology.


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Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

Authors’ Contribution

N.N.N. and S.S. contributed to the literature research, data acquisition, and manuscript preparation. All the authors contributed to the development of the concept, design, definition of intellectual content, and manuscript editing and review. S.S. is the guarantor for this article.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional human ethics committee.

  • References

  • 1 Hoffbrand V, Provan D. ABC of clinical haematology. Macrocytic anaemias. BMJ 1997; 314 (7078) 430-433
  • 2 Hoffbrand V, Moss PAH, Pettit JE. Megaloblastic anaemias. In: Essential Haematology. 5th ed. Massachussetts: Wiley-Blackwell 2006: 44-57
  • 3 Desai HG, Antia FP. Vitamin B 12 malabsorption due to intrinsic factor deficiency in Indian subjects. Blood 1972; 40 (05) 747-753
  • 4 Allen LH. Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food Nutr Bull 2008; 29 (02) (Suppl): S20-S34, discussion S35-S37
  • 5 Devalia V, Hamilton MS, Molloy AM. British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate disorders. Br J Haematol 2014; 166 (04) 496-513
  • 6 Khanduri U, Sharma A. Megaloblastic anaemia: prevalence and causative factors. Natl Med J India 2007; 20 (04) 172-175
  • 7 Unnikrishnan V, Dutta TK, Badhe BA, Bobby Z, Panigrahi AK. Clinico-aetiologic profile of macrocytic anemias with special reference to megaloblastic anemia. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2008; 24 (04) 155-165
  • 8 Sarode R, Garewal G, Marwaha N. et al Pancytopenia in nutritional megaloblastic anaemia. A study from Northwest India. Trop Geogr Med 1989; 41 (04) 331-336
  • 9 Khanduri U, Sharma A, Joshi A. Occult cobalamin and folate deficiency in Indians. Natl Med J India 2005; 18 (04) 182-183
  • 10 Holt PR. Intestinal malabsorption in the elderly. Dig Dis 2007; 25 (02) 144-150
  • 11 Singla R, Garg A, Surana V, Aggarwal S, Gupta G, Singla S. Vitamin B12 deficiency is endemic in Indian population: a perspective from North India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2019; 23 (02) 211-214
  • 12 Ghoshal UC, Mehrotra M, Kumar S. et al Spectrum of malabsorption syndrome among adults and factors differentiating celiac disease & tropical malabsorption. Indian J Med Res 2012; 136 (03) 451-459
  • 13 Kumar R, Kalra SP, Kumar H, Anand AC, Madan H. Pancytopenia—a six year study. J Assoc Physicians India 2001; 49: 1078-1081
  • 14 Sekhar J, Stabler SP. Life-threatening megaloblastic pancytopenia with normal mean cell volume: case series. Eur J Intern Med 2007; 18 (07) 548-550
  • 15 Chidambaram Y, Mambatta AK, Sivara SK. Tropical sprue in megaloblastic anemia. Int J Res Med Sci 2017; 5: 4133-4137
  • 16 Dutta AK, Balekuduru A, Chacko A. Spectrum of malabsorption in India—tropical sprue is still the leader. J Assoc Physicians India 2011; 59: 420-422
  • 17 Balasubramanian P, Badhe BA, Ganesh RN, Panicker LC, Mohan P. Morphologic spectrum of duodenal biopsies in malabsorption: a study from Southern India. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11 (07) EC17-EC21
  • 18 Sharma P, Baloda V, Gahlot GP. et al Clinical, endoscopic, and histological differentiation between celiac disease and tropical sprue: a systematic review. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34 (01) 74-83
  • 19 Hammer ST, Greenson JK. The clinical significance of duodenal lymphocytosis with normal villus architecture. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2013; 137 (09) 1216-1219
  • 20 Lauwers GY, Fasano A, Brown IS. Duodenal lymphocytosis with no or minimal enteropathy: much ado about nothing?. Mod Pathol 2015; 28 (Suppl. 01) S22-S29

Address for correspondence:

Sakthisankari Shanmugasundaram, MD (Pathology)
Department of Pathology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research
Peelamedu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641004
India   

Publication History

Article published online:
12 July 2021

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  • References

  • 1 Hoffbrand V, Provan D. ABC of clinical haematology. Macrocytic anaemias. BMJ 1997; 314 (7078) 430-433
  • 2 Hoffbrand V, Moss PAH, Pettit JE. Megaloblastic anaemias. In: Essential Haematology. 5th ed. Massachussetts: Wiley-Blackwell 2006: 44-57
  • 3 Desai HG, Antia FP. Vitamin B 12 malabsorption due to intrinsic factor deficiency in Indian subjects. Blood 1972; 40 (05) 747-753
  • 4 Allen LH. Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food Nutr Bull 2008; 29 (02) (Suppl): S20-S34, discussion S35-S37
  • 5 Devalia V, Hamilton MS, Molloy AM. British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate disorders. Br J Haematol 2014; 166 (04) 496-513
  • 6 Khanduri U, Sharma A. Megaloblastic anaemia: prevalence and causative factors. Natl Med J India 2007; 20 (04) 172-175
  • 7 Unnikrishnan V, Dutta TK, Badhe BA, Bobby Z, Panigrahi AK. Clinico-aetiologic profile of macrocytic anemias with special reference to megaloblastic anemia. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2008; 24 (04) 155-165
  • 8 Sarode R, Garewal G, Marwaha N. et al Pancytopenia in nutritional megaloblastic anaemia. A study from Northwest India. Trop Geogr Med 1989; 41 (04) 331-336
  • 9 Khanduri U, Sharma A, Joshi A. Occult cobalamin and folate deficiency in Indians. Natl Med J India 2005; 18 (04) 182-183
  • 10 Holt PR. Intestinal malabsorption in the elderly. Dig Dis 2007; 25 (02) 144-150
  • 11 Singla R, Garg A, Surana V, Aggarwal S, Gupta G, Singla S. Vitamin B12 deficiency is endemic in Indian population: a perspective from North India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2019; 23 (02) 211-214
  • 12 Ghoshal UC, Mehrotra M, Kumar S. et al Spectrum of malabsorption syndrome among adults and factors differentiating celiac disease & tropical malabsorption. Indian J Med Res 2012; 136 (03) 451-459
  • 13 Kumar R, Kalra SP, Kumar H, Anand AC, Madan H. Pancytopenia—a six year study. J Assoc Physicians India 2001; 49: 1078-1081
  • 14 Sekhar J, Stabler SP. Life-threatening megaloblastic pancytopenia with normal mean cell volume: case series. Eur J Intern Med 2007; 18 (07) 548-550
  • 15 Chidambaram Y, Mambatta AK, Sivara SK. Tropical sprue in megaloblastic anemia. Int J Res Med Sci 2017; 5: 4133-4137
  • 16 Dutta AK, Balekuduru A, Chacko A. Spectrum of malabsorption in India—tropical sprue is still the leader. J Assoc Physicians India 2011; 59: 420-422
  • 17 Balasubramanian P, Badhe BA, Ganesh RN, Panicker LC, Mohan P. Morphologic spectrum of duodenal biopsies in malabsorption: a study from Southern India. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11 (07) EC17-EC21
  • 18 Sharma P, Baloda V, Gahlot GP. et al Clinical, endoscopic, and histological differentiation between celiac disease and tropical sprue: a systematic review. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34 (01) 74-83
  • 19 Hammer ST, Greenson JK. The clinical significance of duodenal lymphocytosis with normal villus architecture. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2013; 137 (09) 1216-1219
  • 20 Lauwers GY, Fasano A, Brown IS. Duodenal lymphocytosis with no or minimal enteropathy: much ado about nothing?. Mod Pathol 2015; 28 (Suppl. 01) S22-S29

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Peripheral smear with hypersegmented neutrophil and macro-ovalocyte (100×).
Zoom Image
Fig. 2 Bone marrow aspirate showing megaloblastic erythroid hyperplasia (100×).
Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Duodenal biopsy with villous blunting (4×, Hematoxylin and Eosin).
Zoom Image
Fig. 4 Duodenal biopsy with variable villous blunting (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 4×).
Zoom Image
Fig. 5 Duodenal biopsy with marked intraepithelial lymphocytosis (Hematoxylin and Eosin, 40×).