Faculty Collaboration Database

Cytoplasmic inclusions in leukocytes. An unusual manifestation of cryoglobulinemia. Am J Clin Pathol 2000 Jan;113(1):107-12

Date

01/13/2000

Pubmed ID

10631863

DOI

10.1309/QTBN-NFJ9-CR7X-2UAU

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034006624 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   14 Citations

Abstract

Cryoglobulins are circulating immunoglobulins characterized by reversible, cold-induced precipitation. A variety of laboratory abnormalities, including hypocomplementemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor activity, pseudoleukocytosis, and pseudothrombocytosis, are associated with cryoglobulinemia. Extracellular, faintly basophilic, amorphous deposits of cryoglobulins occasionally have been described in blood smears. In the present study, smears prepared from blood collected at room temperature from 6 patients with cryoglobulinemia exhibited neutrophil and, occasionally, monocyte inclusions containing clear, light pink, or faintly basophilic amorphous material. The inclusions were absent in smears from blood collected and maintained at 37 degrees C. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the material within the leukocyte inclusions was consistent with phagocytosed immunoglobulins. The identification of characteristic cytoplasmic inclusions in leukocytes may be an important clue in the early recognition of cryoglobulinemia.

Author List

Maitra A, Ward PC, Kroft SH, Levinson BS, Jamal S, Fishleder AJ, Sendelbach KM, McKenna RW

Author

Steven Howard Kroft MD Chair, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Artifacts
Cold Temperature
Cryoglobulinemia
Cryoglobulins
Female
Humans
Inclusion Bodies
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Middle Aged
Monocytes
Neutrophils
Specimen Handling