#00064968

The bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample obtained from a patient diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis displays the presence of both inflammatory macrophages and signet ring macrophages. A) Inflammatory macrophages are characterized by large, round, or kidney-shaped nuclei with dispersed chromatin, and abundant cytoplasm that may appear foamy or vacuolated due to phagocytosed material. B) Signet ring macrophages have a round nucleus with condensed chromatin, resembling a signet ring. These macrophages are commonly found in various body fluids like blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or synovial fluid, where they play a crucial role in immune responses and defense mechanisms against pathogens.