Russell bodies in contact-lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis
A. S. Henriquez and M. R. Allansmith
Biopsy specimens of the upper tarsal conjunctiva in soft contact
lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis were taken during (1)
chronic exacerbation, (2) brief remission, and (3) intentional
exacerbation. Inflammatory cells were quantitated and compared with
inflammatory cells in normal upper tarsal conjunctivae. Specimens were
evaluated by light and electron microscopy. The most remarkable feature was
the presence of diamond-shaped Russell bodies in 20% of the plasma cells of
the second biopsy specimen. A few round Russell bodies were seen in the
first biopsy specimen and none in the third. We concluded that the brief
quiescent phase (second biopsy specimen) was characterized by retention of
immunoglobulin to produce Russell bodies, and that the active phases of the
disease were marked by migration of mast cells into the epithelium and by
the presence of eosinophils and basophils in the substantia propria.