Wright's Stain, 1000x

 Acanthlolytic cells are formed when there is loss of cohesion between keratinocytes (acantholysis). They are rounded keratinocytes which possess a  strongly basophillic cytoplasm and a central nucleus of variable size. Acantholysis can occur in immune-mediated skin diseases such as in pemphigus, or associated with epidermal enzymatic degradation that occurs during pyodermatitis.