Constipated plasma cells associated with monomeric macroglobulinemia.
Low molecular weight macroglobulinemia was observed in a patient with chronic pulmonary infection. An enlarged cervical lymph node contained many abnormal plasma cells, which were distended with immunoglobulin; this material appeared to be released into lymph spaces when the cells burst. The macroglobulin production is considered to be a non-neoplastic reactive immune response to the pulmonary infection. It is postulated that the association of constipated plasma cells and 7s-IgM can best be explained as an acquired defect in macroglobulin polymerization.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
D007075:Immunoglobulin M