Russell Body Cervicitis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Female: An Unusual Presentation of Prolonged Cervical Inflammation

Abstract

Individuals living with HIV face an elevated susceptibility to various plasma cell disorders, encompassing a spectrum that spans from benign conditions like plasma cell chronic inflammation to more severe conditions such as aggressive multiple myeloma. The present case is one of the few cases of plasma cell rich inflammation of the cervix, and is probably the first being reported in an HIV positive female. A 34-year-old female, P2L2 with last child birth 8 years back visited gynecology OPD with complaints of copious vaginal discharge from last 1 year. The discharge was yellowish in color, non-foul smelling, watery in consistency and present all through the menstrual cycle. On per speculum examination, the cervix looked unhealthy and bleeding on contact was present. The Pap Smear was suggestive of a high grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (HSIL). Biopsy revealed intense plasma cell-rich inflammation in the subepithelial stroma with Russel bodies. A summary of all reported cases of Russel cell cervicitis, reported till date and key points to differentiate it from other plasma cell rich cervical lesions like malakoplakia and plasmacytoma are also presented.