Marked Plasmacytosis Research Articles

Hepatoma associated with marked plasmacytosis and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia

This patient had marked polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia associated with micronodular cirrhosis and hepatoma. Marked elevation of immunoglobulin levels appeared to be associated with the development of hepatic neoplasia. In addition to bone marrow plasmacytosis, plasma cells were associated with the regenerative cirrhotic and neoplastic hepatic nodules. The immunoglobulin and histopathologic findings suggest that the marked elevation of the gamma globulin levels was related to the neoplastic rather than to the underlying cirrhotic process. This case suggests that diffuse hypergammaglobulinemia and plasma cell hyperactivity may occur with hepatoma.

Responses of the bovine lymphatic system to infection by Theileria parva: I. Histology and ultrastructure of lymph nodes in experimentally-infected calves

Ten cattle were infected with Theileria parva, the cause of East Coast fever (ECF), and serially killed to investigate the origin of parasitized lymphoblasts (PL), routes of their metastasis and lymph node changes. Histological examination of 13 selected lymph nodes from each call revealed non-specific changes including germinal centre development and regression, paracortical hyperplasia and plasmacytosis. Changes characteristic of T. parva infection included: large numbers of PL in the paracortical zone, sinuses, medullary cords and stroma; and terminal necrosis. These changes appeared first and were most marked in the parotid node draining the inoculation site and were least obvious in the mesenteric node. Ultrastructurally, lymphoblasts containing schizonts of T. parva were remarkably similar to phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated bovine lymphocytes. Although no early stages of T. parva were identified in phagocytic cells, possible pre-schizont forms were found in lymphoid cells of the parotid node of calves killed 7 and 9 days after inoculation, indicating that the parasite may actively invade lymphocytes. Electron microscopy of lymph nodes in early ECF revealed proliferation of non-parasitized lymphoblasts in the paracortical zone, marked plasmacytosis (two plasma cells were in mitosis) and little evidence of reticulum cell hyperplasia. Later in the disease, schizont-containing lymphoblasts, often in mitosis and occasionally degenerating, were present in the paracortical zone, in all the sinuses, within the trabeculae and in the medullary cords. Free schizonts were numeruous. As intracellular schizonts matured, they became more electron-dense, and eventually formed merozoites. It was concluded that parasitized lymphoblasts drain from infected local lymph nodes by efferent lymphatics to the tracheal lymph duct, whence they enter the blood. Their route of exit from the blood to the general body nodes was not determined.

FAMILIAL RETICULOENDOTHELIOSIS: CONCURRENCE OF DISEASE IN FIVE SIBLINGS

A fatal syndrome characterized by failure to thrive, eczema, recurrent skin, ear, and respiratory tract infections, lymphadenopathy hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary infiltrations, and terminal peripheral pancytopenia and hypergammaglobulinemia is described in a complete sibship of five girls. Histologically, there was diffuse reticulum cell infiltration in the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, and central nervous system. The lymphoid architecture was obliterated and there was a marked plasmacytosis. Death occurred between the ages of 20 months and 4 9/12 years and was associated with pulmonary insufficiency, septicemia, and candidiasis. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent were unsuccessful. Although similar to other reviewed cases of familial reticuloendotheliosis, the involvement of a complete sibship appears to be a unique occurrence.

Malignant lymphoma and lymphatic leukemia associated with myeloma-type serum proteins

1. 1. Ten of thirteen patients with malignant lymphoma and lymphatic leukemia, including one patient with Hodgkin's disease, all associated with abnormal serum proteins characteristic of multiple myeloma, showed a marked plasmacytosis or the presence of a large number of pyroninophilic reticulum cells and lymphoid cells in tissue sections and/or bone marrow aspirations. Intermediate forms between reticulum cells and lymphocytes on one hand, and plasma cells on the other, were frequently seen in the tissues studied. 2. 2. Plasmacytosis and the presence of pyroninophilic reticulum cells and lymphoid cells were insignificant features in a control group of twenty-five patients with malignant lymphoma and leukemia, associated with normal or non-specifically abnormal serum electrophoretic patterns, in whom autopsies were performed consecutively. 3. 3. This study suggests, that clinically and morphologically, transitional forms occur, with considerable overlapping, between the various lymphatic tumors and the plasmacytomas.