Six Cases of Iron Containing Plasma Cells / 대한임상병리학회지

ABSTRACT

Iron in plasma cells has been described in patients with diseases characterized by iron overload. We observed iron-containing plasma cells in the bone marrow aspirates of 6 patients with anemia. In five of these 6 patients, there were alcoholic liver disease and in one there was abdominal aortic occlusion. Medical records of patients and previous reports were reviewed. Marrow storage irons were adequate or increased, but other morphologic changes of alcoholism such as erythroid vacuolization or ringed sideroblasts were not the features. The presence of iron-containing plasma cells is suggestive of alcoholism and its complications, and diseases associated with iron overload or inability of RBCs to utilize iron. The exact mechanism of entry of iron into plasma cells is controversial.