Invincibleworld - Invincible World

Take a look at this newly diagnosed Multiple

Myeloma (MM) case!

MM is a type of cancer developed by the overproduction of plasma cells in the bone marrow (B-cell lineage). Plasma cells are responsible for the production of antibodies to fight infection within the body.

Helpful lab findings

C- hypercalcemia

R- renal failure (increased CREA+BUN)

A- anemia

B- bone lesions

Confirmatory testing

1. Serum protein electrophoresis: spike in the gamma wave aka monoclonal paraprotein (M-spike)

2. Immunofixation protein electrophoresis: identifies the type of immunoglobulin (heavy chain) present (IgA, IgG, [gE, etc.)

3. Free Light Chain Assay: determine if the immuglobulin is

Kappa or Lambda

4. Bone Marrow aspiration: take a look at the first picture.

60% of the bone marrow is most likely plasma cells

Different types of MM

-Smoldering MM (increased plasma cells in bone marrow & high protein. Does NOT follow CRAB)

-MGUS (decreased plasma cells in bone marrow)

-Light chain amyloidosis

Let's learn about the Babesia parasite!

Caused by infected ticks

Leads to anemia & low platelets

Testing: thin & thick smears, morphology, parasitemia levels, PCR

Treatment depends on severity (ranges from antiprotozoal meds or exchange transfusion)

Ring-like formation in the RBCs = Babesia parasite! (Very similar morphology to Malaria)

mhawkins

Gastric cancer patient with bone marrow metastasis #oncology #cancer #laboratory #diagnostics #oncologia #microscopy

The many faces of reactive plasma cells - all found within the same chronic skin infection in a dog!

Plasma cells are activated B lymphocytes and their purpose is to secrete immunoglobulin. When they become reactive, or stimulated, they can be binucleated, multinucleated, and have a variety of morphological changes occur including the formation of Russell bodies. Russell bodies are round to globular intracellular aggregates of immunoglobulin; their formation is due to an imbalance between the rates of synthesis, folding, secretion, and degradation of immunoglobulins.

While most Russell bodies are rounded, one (of many) phenotype of Russell bodies can present as crystalline bodies. Immunoglobulin crystals are very uncommon to see in plasma cell proliferations, and very few reports have been authored on them in veterinary medicine. I feel very lucky to have found three different types of crystalline bodies as you can hopefully appreciate in the above pictures!

I am the owner

Of this damage, the weapon

Fired to make the wound

Eyes full of apologies

Belie my gunpowder smile

What has no heart and no brain? No, it’s not your ex… it’s the barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo). Also known as the dustbin-lid jellyfish (yes, really), this species can reach an impressive 35 in (90 cm) in diameter and can weigh up to 77 lbs (35 kg)! Like other jellies, this critter relies on its nervous system to function.

Photo: tato grasso, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

pssssst...

guess what.

you deserve to be happy.

pass it on.

#Trichomonas