Which component is NOT typically found in Aschoff bodies?

Aschoff bodies are specific lesions associated with rheumatic fever, particularly affecting the heart. They are inflammatory nodules that consist of a mixture of immune cells and fibrotic tissue. The main components found in Aschoff bodies include lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibrotic tissue.

Lymphocytes are present due to the ongoing immune response, as they are crucial for recognizing and responding to pathogens. Macrophages, which are derived from monocytes, play a role in phagocytosing debris and orchestrating the inflammatory response, helping to resolve the damage. Additionally, fibrotic tissue can form as the body attempts to repair the damage caused by inflammation.

In contrast, granulocytes, which include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, are typically involved in early-stage acute inflammation and are not a prominent feature of Aschoff bodies. Instead, the chronic nature of the lesions seen in rheumatic fever and the later stages of the inflammatory response favor the presence of lymphocytes and macrophages over granulocytes. Therefore, granulocytes are not typically found in these structures, affirming that this is the correct answer.