ISSN:
1432-1750
Keywords:
Paraquat Poisoning
;
Morphology
;
Electron Microscopy
;
Light Microscopy
;
Letal Course
;
Human Lung
;
Lung Fibrosis
;
Proliferative Alterations
;
Degenerative Alterations
;
Pathogenesis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Morphological alterations in the lungs of 3 cases of paraquat intoxication with prolonged lethal course (10, 11, and 25 days) are reported. Combined light-and electronmicroscopic studies reveal that 10 and 11 days after the ingestion of paraquat the endothelium of the occassionally congested capillaries is intact. The basal membranes have only scarce alterations. They are sometimes naked because of shadding of both types of pneumocytes with severe alterations, e.g. lipid accumulation in the cytoplasm. In the vast alveolar edema, red blood cells, some round cells, strands of fibrin, and lamellar cell debris are seen. There are also varying amounts of polymorphnuclear leucocytes and alveolar macrophages with many phagolysosomes and cytosegresomes. Fibroblasts with lipid droplets between the extensive RER form varying amounts of collagen fibrils in the alveolar and sometimes in the very edematous interstitial space. Sometimes surrounded by collagenous material, they thus devoured by macrophages. 25 days after paraquat intoxication a severe alveolar fibrosis, focal interstitial fibrosis, and areas with atelectasis are found. Due to artificial respiration and changed ventilation mechanics, there were large areas with hemorrhage and a honeycomb-like structure of the remaining lung parenchyma. The pathogenesis of the degenerative and proliferative lung alterations is briefly discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02179318
