ABSTRACT
The morphological changes were investigated by male rats after aerosol application of mineral oil above a period of three weeks. Beginning in the second week, there was a permanent increase of macrophages and foam cells in the alveolar septa and alveolar lumina in closed relation to the deposited mineral oil, visible by dark field illumination. The macrophages and foam cells showed a high activity of non-specific esterasis and acid phosphatasis whereas the activity of adenosine triphosphatasis clear decreased. In the third week the formation of focal granulomas started predominantly existing of histiocytes and only few foam cells.
Subject(s)
Pneumonia, Lipid/pathology , Acid Phosphatase/metabolism , Animals , Esterases/metabolism , Histocytochemistry , Lung/pathology , Macrophages , Male , Mineral Oil , Pneumonia, Lipid/chemically induced , Pneumonia, Lipid/enzymology , RatsABSTRACT
A 30 year old man developed lipoid pneumonia after an injection of lamp oil. In addition to "foamy" alveolar macrophages, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis showed an increased number of neutrophils. Moreover, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase activities were elevated. The increase seen in LDH activity both in serum and BAL fluid was accompanied by shifts in the isoenzyme pattern in similar directions for both fluids. These findings suggest a pulmonary source for the temporary serum as well as BAL fluid LDH increase. This case indicates the usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis as a probe to detect pulmonary injury caused by a pneumotoxicant and, probably, to monitor recovery or deterioration.