Anitschkow cell

In pathology, Anitschkow (or Anichkov ) cells are cells associated with, and pathognomonic for, rheumatic heart disease.

They are also called caterpillar cells, as these cells have a large amount of clear cytoplasm surrounding a rod-shaped nucleus that to some resembles a caterpillar. Anitschkow cells are enlarged macrophages found within granulomas (called Aschoff bodies) associated with the disease.

Larger Anitschkow cells may coalesce to form multinucleated Aschoff giant cells.

Etymology
Anitschkow cells were named after the Russian pathologist Nikolai Nikolajewitsch Anitschkow.