Iron-containing plasma cells.

Iron in plasma cells has been described in patients with diseases characterized by iron overload. We observed iron-containing plasma cells in 21 anemic alcoholic patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of complications of alcoholism. The presence of iron-containing plasma cells is suggestive of alcoholism and its complications, and diseases associated with iron overload or inability of RBCs to utilize iron. The mechanism of entry of iron into plasma cells is unknown.