What characterizes a Mott cell?

A Mott cell is specifically characterized by the presence of globules within the cytoplasm that are made up of immunoglobulins, which are also referred to as Russell bodies. These globules appear as eosinophilic inclusions and are indicative of an active production of antibodies within the plasma cells. This characteristic is significant in the context of certain plasma cell disorders, where the proliferation of plasma cells leads to the accumulation of these immunoglobulins.

The presence of these globules helps to differentiate Mott cells from other types of cells present in hematologic specimens, particularly in conditions such as multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, where abnormal plasma cells are frequently observed. The formation of these Russell bodies is a result of excessive immunoglobulin synthesis, often reflecting a clonal proliferation of plasma cells.

In contrast, the other listed characteristics do not define Mott cells. While the irregularity of nuclear outlines is associated with various other forms of abnormal cells, large macrophages refer to a different type of immune cell entirely, and schistocytes are fragments of red blood cells associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Thus, the hallmark feature of Mott cells lies in the presence of immunoglobulin globules within their cyt