Decoy cells are virally infected epithelial cells that can be found in the urine. Decoy cells owe their name to their strong resemblance to cancer cells, and may as such confuse the diagnosis of either viral infection or urothelial malignancy.

Four morphological types of “Decoy cells” have been described in literature: Type 1- classic decoy cells characterized by large, homogenous, amorphous ground-glass like intranuclear inclusion bodies and a condensed rim of chromatin; Type 2- granular intranuclear inclusions surrounded by a clear halo, i.e., cytomegalovirus (CMV)-like; Type 3 ...

A morphologic sign of the (re)activation of polyomaviruses is the detection of typical intranuclear viral inclusion bearing epithelial cells, so-called “decoy cells”, in the urine. Decoy cells often contain polyoma-BK-viruses.

Oct 28, 2022 · Urine cytology: decoy cells (resemble cells in uroepithelial cancer); BK virus infected tubular epithelial cells that have been shed into the urine Rounded basophilic nuclei larger than the average transitional and tubular epithelial cells

Jun 19, 2019 · Decoy cells are renal tubular epithelial cells and other uroepithelial cells that manifest changes associated with viral infection. They appear in the urine presenting as glassy appearing, homogenous intranuclear inclusions.

“Decoy cells” may also be mistaken for malignant cells. Lack of coarse chromatin, nuclear membrane irregularity and correlation with cystoscopy findings and clinical scenario are critical to differentiate them. Decoy – like cells can also be seen in tubular injury and regeneration.

Nov 18, 2020 · Melamed-Wolinska bodies are intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions seen in degenerated urothelial cells. The classic appearance of cells infected by polyomavirus shows a single, large, basophilic, glassy nuclear inclusion.

Dec 23, 2019 · Reactivation of polyomaviruses leads to the shedding of infected cells into urine, these cells called Decoy cells. These cells are easily identified in urine smears using routine Papanicolaou (PAP) or hematoxylin and eosin stains (H and E).

Mar 1, 2016 · With reactivation, PyV disrupt cell cycling mechanisms, facilitating viral replication leading to cell necrosis, exfoliation, and, infrequently, carcinogenesis. Exfoliated PyV-infected cells pose diagnostic pitfalls, hence they are termed “decoy cells” as they may mimic high-grade urothelial carcinoma cells.

The report of a case of decoy cells in the urine of a patient with renal transplantation focuses the importance of cytologic analysis of urine as a diagnostic tool for screening renal transplant recipients at risk of polyoma viral infection.