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Degenerating neutrophils can be seen in normal healthy patients, in infectious and inflammatory conditions, and as an artifact of prolonged specimen storage.  Degenerating neutrophils have opaque, homogeneous chromatin that may be divided into multiple unconnected fragments or condensed into a single round mass.  A degenerating neutrophil with a single round, pyknotic nucleus may be mistaken for a nucleated red blood cell.  However, while nucleated red cells have agranular cytoplasm, degenerating neutrophils generally retain their cytoplasmic granules.