The Phagocytic Plasma Cells

Abstract

PLASMA cells normally secrete immunoglobulins. On occasion, these cells may appear in unusual morphologic forms: grape cells; Mott cells; cells containing Russell bodies; multinuclear cells; thesaurocytes, or flaming cells; and cells with nuclear "dimples." Butterworth et al.1 described a patient with "plasma cell leukemia" whose plasma cells demonstrated erythrophagocytosis.We report here the phenomenon of phagocytosis of red cells, red-cell precursors, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and platelets by the plasma cells of two patients with well established multiple myeloma. The phagocytosis has persisted in one patient for two and a half years despite therapy with 1-phenylalanine mustard and corticosteroids.Case RecordsCase . . .