Plasma cell dyscrasia with kappa light-chain crystals in proximal tubular cells: a histological, immunofluorescent, and ultrastructural study

Ultrastruct Pathol. 2006 Jul-Aug;30(4):315-9. doi: 10.1080/019131290945727.

Abstract

This is a case report of a 56-year-old man with plasma cell dyscrasia who presented with proximal tubulopathy manifested as kappa light-chain crystal deposition in the proximal convoluted tubular cells. This was associated with mild cellular damage. The crystals were seen as negative images with the hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains. They were identified as kappa light-chains by immunofluorescent imaging and confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Ultrastructurally, the crystals appear to be located within lysosomes. No deposits of light-chains were seen elsewhere in the kidney biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / metabolism*
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / metabolism*
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraproteinemias / metabolism*
  • Paraproteinemias / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains