In order to standardize cellular hematology practices, the French-speaking Cellular Hematology Group (Groupe Francophone d'Hématologie Cellulaire, GFHC) focused on Perls' stain. A national survey was carried out, leading to the proposal of recommendations on insoluble iron detection and quantification in bone marrow. The criteria presented here met with a "strong professional agreement" and follow the suggestions of the World Health Organization's classification of hematological malignancies.
Keywords: Perls’ stain; Prussian blue stain; bone marrow; cytochemistry; iron staining; iron store; myelodysplastic syndromes; recommendations; sideroblasts.