Analysis of Pulmonary Asbestos Body in Malignant Mesothelioma: A case report

The association between occupational asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of malignant mesothelioma of pleura is well recognized. We analyzed an asbestos body by energy dispersive X-ray analyser in a case of malignant mesothelioma of pleura who had a history of asbestos exposure 30 years ago. In transmission electron microscope, the asbestos body was composed of a core of refractile thin asbestos fiber bundle and beaded masses of electron-dense iron and protein complex. The core fibers were analyzed as an amphibole type crocidolite fiber [(Na2Fe3Fe2(Si8O22)(OH)2] which composed of high content of silicon, iron and sodium.

Cryptosporidium Infection of Human Intestine: An Electron Microscopic Observation

Protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium are small coccidian parasite known to infect the mucosal epithelium of a variety of animals including human, causing fatal course in immunodeficient patients as well as self-limited illness in healthy individuals. Various life cycle stages including trophozoite, meront, merozoite, gametocyte and oocyst in infected mucosa are a diagnostic feature. Electron microscopy (EM) provides sufficient findings for genus and species identification of this parasitic organism. The authors presented scanning and transmission EM findings of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in two children: one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the other without any evidence of immune compromise.

Ultrastructural Feature of Molluscum Contagiosum Virus

Molluscum contagiosum virus(MCV) infection occurs in both sporadic and epidemic forms, and affects children more frequently. The skin lesions are small, pinkish and wartlike tumor. MCV has not been transmitted to animals and nQt propagated in cell culture. Therefore the viruses in human lesions can only be demonstrated by electron microscopy. Histologically, characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (called molluscum bodies) are formed in infected epithelial cells. They gradually enlarge and eventually fill the cell. Ultrastructure of molluscum bodies in infected cells showed a large number of MCV particles that are variable-sized, spherical, ellipsoidal and brick-shaped. Early viral replication stage shows small dense bodies in the nucleus and then reveal immature MCV that consist of homogeneous rounded core and separated capsidal membrane from the cytoplasm matrix In advanced stage, shrinked nucleus with irregular membrane moves into marginal area of the cell. The spherical fon-ns represented immature viruses in cytoplasm matrix, whereas the brick-sphaped forms represented mature viruses in the inclusion of cytoplasm.

Ultrastructural Observation on Maturation Process of Cytomegalovirus in Human Cells

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection can be diagnosed by finding characteristic intranuclear inclusion body and enlargement of the cell size congenital CMV infection can be associated with various types of anomalies seen in different gestational age. These anomalies are probable due to direct virus infection of the parenchymal cell m early gestation. Based on four autopsy cases of congenital CMV infection we have studied maturation process of virus particles in parenchymal cells, with special reference to me mode of replication and transmission. Virus particles in CMV-infected cells in brain and kidney showed nucleocapsids with characteristic concentric core, that were enclosed around fibrillar network in nucleus. During replication process virions showed various morphogenic mutation that was rather consistent in different tissues and individuals. There were virions without core or with eccentric core. Occasional cores were divided into 2~5 fragments. The virus particles reached the cytoplasm through the nuclear membrane, and here the virions increased twice in size. After virions were fully matured in the cytop1asm. they showed exocytosis phenomenon through the cellular membrane to reach extracellular portion.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Findings of Hair Anomalies

Scanning electron microscopic(SEM) examination of hair is an efficient and definite method for the diagnosis of hair anomaly. The Hair specimen is placed on a stub, gold coated, and directly viewed without prior fixation or treatment for identification. We have analyzed 25 cases of scalp hair and 2 cases of eyebrow that were sampled with the suspicion of hair anomalies at Seoul National University Hospital during the last 7 year period from January 1988 to June 1992. All 27 cases had certain abnormalities of the hair. They consisted of monilethrix(1 case), hair casts(4 cases), pili torti(1 case), uncombable hair syndrome(1 case), trichorrhexis nodosa(5 cases), woolly hair(5 cases) and other anomaly(1 case). Some cases of them were mixed with two or three anomalies in hairs. Their combinations were; hair casts and woolly hair(1 case), hair casts and pili torti and uncombabla hair syndrome(1 case), hair casts and uncombable hair syndrome and trichorrhexis nodosa(1 case), trichorrhexis nodosa and uncombable hair syndrome(3 cases). Most of these defects included brittleness of scales and distortion of the hair shaft.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia(Immotile Cilia Syndrome): Clinical and electron microscopic analysis of 17 cases

Immotile cilia syndrome is a genetically determined disorder characterized by immotility or poor motility of the cilia in the airways and elsewhere. Since its first description in 1976 determination of a ciliary abnormality has now clarified its variable expression and pleiotropism. Certain specific defects in the ciliary axoneme can be found and are pathognmoic of the syndrome. These defects include missing dynein arms, abnormally short dynein, arms, spokes with no central sheath, missing central microtubules, and displacement of one of the nine peripheral doublets. We have studied 80 cases of bronchial or nasal mucosal biopsies that were performed with the suspicion of immotile cilia syndrome. Of 80 cases only 17 cases were sampled optimally to be able to observe under transmission and scanning electron microscopes. All 17 cases had certain abnormality of the cilia. They consisted of Ia(3 cases), Ib(3 cases), Id only(3 cases) and Id+other types(6 cases) a according to Sturgess classification. Seven cases consisted of 1 solitary and 6 combined form; II+Id(1 case) and II+Id+III(5 case). All 5 cases of type III were combined with Id and II. Clinically most pronounced manifestations were cough(82%), sputum(59%), rhinorrhea(41%) and nasal stuffiness(35%), All the patients were below the age of 15 years, and there were 6 boys and 11 girls.