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Auer rod-like inclusions in circulating lymphoma cells.
D A Groom1, D Wong, R K Brynes
1Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Cytoplasmic inclusions in lymphoma cells mimicked Auer rods but lacked lysosomal markers. These aberrant structures in malignant lymphocytes may offer new insights into lymphoma cell biology.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Small cleaved follicular center cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Auer rods are pathognomonic cytoplasmic inclusions found in myeloid blasts in acute myeloid leukemia.
Observation:
- Azurophilic, splinter-shaped cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in circulating malignant lymphocytes of a patient with small cleaved follicular center cell lymphoma.
- These inclusions resembled Auer rods under light and electron microscopy.
Findings:
- Cytochemical stains for lysosomal enzymes (myeloperoxidase, Sudan black B, acid phosphatase, periodic acid-Schiff) were negative.
- Immunostaining and flow cytometry confirmed a monoclonal IgM-kappa immunophenotype for the malignant lymphoid cells.
- The inclusions did not exhibit specific immunoglobulin staining.
Implications:
- The observed inclusions are likely not of lysosomal origin, despite morphological similarities to Auer rods.
- These membrane-bound inclusions may represent aberrant lysosomes or other abnormal cellular structures unique to these malignant lymphoid cells.
- Further investigation into these inclusions could enhance understanding of lymphoma pathogenesis and cellular differentiation.