Cytoplasmic inclusions in leukocytes. An unusual manifestation of cryoglobulinemia. Am J Clin Pathol 2000 Jan;113(1):107-12
Date
01/13/2000Pubmed ID
10631863DOI
10.1309/QTBN-NFJ9-CR7X-2UAUScopus ID
2-s2.0-0034006624 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 15 CitationsAbstract
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 RWAuthor
Steven Howard Kroft MD Chair, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Artifacts
Cold Temperature
Cryoglobulinemia
Cryoglobulins
Female
Humans
Inclusion Bodies
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Middle Aged
Monocytes
Neutrophils
Specimen Handling