A case of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract showing extensive plasma cell differentiation with prominent Russell bodies

Distribution and Clinicopathological Features of Mott Cells (Plasma Cells Containing Russell Bodies) in Gastric Cancer: Presence of Mott Cells Is Associated with Favorable Prognosis

Gastric cancer (GC) is still one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. We previously reported the relationship between histological heterogeneity of tumor cells and molecular features in GC. The tumor microenvironment also has a crucial role in GC progression and therapeutic resistance. In this study, we focused on the tumor microenvironment, especially inflammatory cells in GC. Using GC tissue slides, we investigated the distribution and clinicopathological significance of inflammatory cell counts including eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between Mott cells (plasma cells containing Russell bodies) and clinicopathological features. In neoplastic gastric mucosa, a high number of plasma cells was associated with low T-grade, early stage, and good prognosis. We then focused on Mott cells and found that their presence in neoplastic gastric mucosa was associated with lower T and N grades, early stage, and Helicobacter pylori infection and was inversely associated with CD44 and EGFR expression. Additionally, the presence of Mott cells was associated with good prognosis in advanced GC and was an independent favorable prognostic predictor. The presence of Mott cells in GC might be one useful prognostic predictor, and Mott cells might have an important role in the carcinogenesis of H. pylori infection.

Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis: The Iceberg of More Serious Conditions

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare condition that is histologically characterized by intracellular cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions. It usually presents monoclonal immunoglobulins that deposit within histiocytes, which accumulate and affect different organs of the human body and are commonly associated with lymphoproliferative conditions, especially those with plasmacytic differentiation. The prognosis of this condition is variable and related to the underlying clinical disease. In this review article, we aim to describe and discuss the clinical and pathological characteristics of crystal-storing histiocytosis based on the available literature and to provide a thorough differential diagnosis.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma in the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Modern Era

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) typically arises from sites such as the stomach, where there is no organized lymphoid tissue. Close associations between Helicobacter pylori and gastric MALT lymphoma or Campylobacter jejuni and immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) have been established. A subset of tumors is associated with chromosomal rearrangement and/or genetic alterations. This disease often presents as localized disease, requiring diverse treatment approaches, from antibiotic therapy to radiotherapy and immunochemotherapy. Eradication therapy for H. pylori effectively cures gastric MALT lymphoma in most patients. However, treatment strategies for H. pylori-negative gastric MALT lymphoma are still challenging. In addition, the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy has been controversial in intestinal MALT lymphoma, except for IPSID. Endoscopic treatment has been noted to usually achieve complete remission in endoscopically resectable colorectal MALT lymphoma with localized disease. MALT lymphoma has been excluded from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders with the exception of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). We also describe the expanding spectrum of EBV-negative MZL and a close association of the disease with the gastrointestinal tract.

Nodal EBV-positive polymorphic B cell lymphoproliferative disorder with plasma cell differentiation: clinicopathological analysis of five cases

Plasma cell differentiation (PCD) is frequently observed in some entities of non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma, including both low-grade and high-grade lymphomas. However, except for plasmablastic lymphoma and primary effusion lymphoma, EBV⁺ B cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) with PCD has not been well addressed due to its rarity. We clinicopathologically examined five cases of nodal EBV⁺ polymorphic B cell LPD with PCD (PBLPD-PCD) initially diagnosed as polymorphic EBV⁺ diffuse large B cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL-NOS) with PCD (n = 3) and methotrexate-associated B cell LPD (MTX-associated B-LPD) (n = 2). One case had a concomitant brain lesion which was clinically diagnosed as EBV-related encephalitis. This patient received therapy with vidarabine, and both the brain lesion and the nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD lesions disappeared. Another case was characterized by Mott cell differentiation. This case was the first reported case of EBV⁺ B cell lymphoma or LPD with Mott cell differentiation. The two cases of MTX-associated B cell LPD which arose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis spontaneously regressed after MTX cessation. TCRγ and IGH PCR analysis was performed in four cases. Two cases had TCRγ rearrangements, but no IGH rearrangements. The other two cases had no rearrangements in these genes. We concluded that nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD is rare, with heterogeneous characteristics. PCR analysis revealed that nodal EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD may have only TCR clonality and no IGH clonality. Considering the partial or complete loss of CD20 expression on the tumor cells, this result may be confusing for accurate diagnosis of EBV⁺ PBLPD-PCD, and pathologists need to be aware of this phenomenon to avoid misdiagnosis.

Surveilling Russell body Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Russell body gastritis (RBG) is very rare type of chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa. The pathologic hallmark of the disease is Russell bodies (RB) which represent accumulation of eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions in endoplasmic reticulum of mature plasma cells (Mott cells). Most published cases are associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection because of correlation between plasma cell activation and antigenic stimulation. There are insufficient data about H. pylori-negative RBG and very little is known about the natural course of the disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 51-year-old male patient underwent endoscopic screening for mild iron deficiency anemia. Gastroscopy revealed diffuse hyperemia, edema and nodularity of the fundic and corpus mucosa. Due to non-specific endoscopic findings and iron-deficiency anemia our preliminary diagnosis was diffuse type of gastric carcinoma or gastric lymphoma. Biopsy specimens of gastric mucosa showed inflammatory infiltrate rich in Mott cells, consisting entirely of cytoplasmic RB. Absence of nuclear atypia and mitosis of the plasma cells, polyclonal pattern of the Mott cells and negative staining for cytokeratins favored diagnosis of RBG. The patient was treated with proton-pump inhibitor for 8 wk. Long-term clinical and endoscopic surveillance was scheduled. Albeit, there was no improvement in endoscopic features of the gastric mucosa in three consecutive gastroscopies, histopathological findings demonstrated that the chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the fundic mucosa is less pronounced, rich in plasma cells, with almost absent RB and Mott cells.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of this entity is uncertain, that is why these patients are subjects of continuous follow up.

Analysis of clinical and histopathological findings in Russell body gastritis and duodenitis

INTRODUCTION

Russell body gastritis is considered as a rare, benign, incidental finding characterized by dense accumulation of plasma cells containing Russell bodies in the lamina propria. In this study, clinical and histopathological features of 12 cases of Russell body gastritis/duodenitis were presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data, histopathological findings including Helicobacter pylori infection, Sydney system classification, Russell body density and immunohistochemical findings were evaluated in 11 gastric and 1 duodenal mucosal biopsy from 11 patients.

RESULTS

Six cases were male, 5 were female and the mean age was 72 (44-87). The most common site was antrum (10/12), one case was located in cardia and one in heterotopic gastric mucosa of duodenal bulb. H. pylori was detected in half of the cases. One of the cases was accompanied by gastric tubular adenoma, one by gastric well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and one by plasma cell neoplasm. In all cases, globules were positive with PAS stain.

CONCLUSION

Russell body gastritis must be kept in mind while reporting endoscopic biopsies because this entity may be misdiagnosed as signet ring carcinoma and may be associated with neoplasms. Absence of nuclear atypia, mucin stains, cytokeratins, plasma cell and hematolymphoid antigen markers are useful in differential diagnosis. Associated H. pylori infection, as well as rarely carcinomas, adenomas and plasma cell neoplasms, may be observed.

Russell body gastritis with Dutcher bodies evaluated using magnification endoscopy

Russell body gastritis (RBG) is an unusual type of chronic gastritis characterized by marked infiltration of Mott cells, which are plasma cells filled with spherical eosinophilic bodies referred to as Russell bodies. It was initially thought that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was a major cause of RBG and that the infiltrating Mott cells were polyphenotypic; however, a number of cases of RBG without H. pylori infection or with monoclonal Mott cells have been reported. Thus, diagnostic difficulty exists in distinguishing RBG with monoclonal Mott cells from malignant lymphoma. Here, we report an unusual case of an 86-year-old-Japanese man with H. pylori-positive RBG. During the examination of melena, endoscopic evaluation confirmed a 13-mm whitish, flat lesion in the gastric antrum. Magnification endoscopy with narrow-band imaging suggested that the lesion was most likely a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Biopsy findings were consistent with chronic gastritis with many Mott cells with intranuclear inclusions referred to as Dutcher bodies. Endoscopic submucosal dissection confirmed the diagnosis of RBG with kappa-restricted monoclonal Mott cells. Malignant lymphoma was unlikely given the paucity of cytological atypia and Ki-67 immunoreactivity of monoclonal Mott cells. This is the first reported case of RBG with endoscopic diagnosis of malignant tumor and the presence of Dutcher bodies.

"Russell Body Gastroenterocolitis" in a Posttransplant Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Russell bodies represent a cellular response to overstimulation of plasma cells, leading to the accumulation of abundant, nondegradable, condensed immunoglobulin in dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Russell body gastritis was first described 1998 by Tazawa and Tsutsumi. Since then only 39 cases involving the gastrointestinal tract have been reported in English literature, which include Russell body gastritis, duodenitis, and esophagitis. We report a case of a 44-year-old female with a history of diabetes mellitus, status post kidney and pancreas transplant who presented with multiple episodes of watery diarrhea associated with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Upper gastroendoscopic examination showed diffuse mild erythema in the gastric body and a clean-based duodenal ulcer. Lower gastroendoscopic examination was normal. Examination of multiple biopsies from duodenal, gastric, terminal ileum, and colonic mucosae revealed numerous plasma cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm (Russell bodies) and eccentric nuclei, highlighted by PAS stain and CD 138 plasma cell marker. Helicobacter pylori stains were performed on gastric biopsies and were negative for organisms. To date, there are no cases described in English literature with multifocal Russell body infiltrates in gastrointestinal tract in a single patient including ileum and/or colon. This makes our case the first to be reported with these unique findings; thus, the spectrum of Russell body-associated chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract would be more suitably referred to as "Russell body gastroenterocolitis."

Russell body gastritis/duodenitis: a case series and description of immunoglobulin light chain restriction

Russell body esophago-gastro-duodenitis is an unusual form of chronic inflammation, with only 22 cases being reported in PubMed. However, the prevalence and clinical significance remain unknown. This report describes the clinico-pathological characteristics of nine cases of Russell body gastritis (RBG) and one case of Russell body duodentitis (RBD), with nonspecific endoscopic appearance. The Mott cells (plasma cells with Russell bodies) showed κ light chain restriction in eight gastritis cases and λ light chain restriction in the duodentitis case, and there were no histological features that suggested lymphoma. Thus, a diagnosis of monoclonal RBG/RBD was made. Helicobacter pylori infection was found in 55.6% of RBG cases and in the RBD case. And, the clinical follow-up evaluations were uneventful. This report is the first study to describe this benign disease entity with monoclonality on a large-scale basis. In addition, the monoclonality of Mott cells cannot be used as evidence of an existing neoplastic lesion, and taken together, these findings may indicate a reactive process.