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Morphologische Befunde bei Paraquatvergiftungen

Electron and light microscopic findings in human paraguat poisoning

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Summary

Light and electron microscopic examinations were performed on 2 cases of paraquat intoxiation. These demonstrated, in accordance with previously described findings, that specific histopathologic changes depend on the amount of poison absorbed and may be accentuated by oxygen therapy. In our cases damage to the pneumocytes and to the basement membrane prevailed, followed by pulmonary edema and fibrosis. Visible changes of toxic liver damage became apparent prior to or simultaneous with these lung findings. Giant mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusion bodies within the liver cells are assumed to represent a specific reaction to the poison. Fragmentation of myofibrils and edema of myocardial cells may also be part of this reaction.

Zusammenfassung

Kombinierte licht- und elektronenoptische Untersuchungen zweier tödlich verlaufener Paraquatintoxikationen machen in Zusammenschau mit früheren eigenen Befunden deutlich, daß an der Lunge in Abhängigkeit von der resorbierten Giftmenge spezifische Veränderungen auftreten, die durch Sauerstofftherapie verstärkt werden können. Bei unseren Fällen bestanden diese Veränderungen vorwiegend in Schäden der Pneumocyten und der Basalmembranen mit nachfolgendem Lungenödem und beginnenden fibrosierenden Prozessen. Früher oder gleichzeitig manifestierten sich morphologisch faßbare toxisch-degenerative Leberzellschäden. Die Beobachtung von Riesenmitochondrien mit parakristallinen Einschlußkörpern in den Leberzellen könnte als ein morphologischer Hinweis auf eine giftspezifische Reaktion diskutiert werden. Auch die Fragmentation der Myofibrillen mit Ödem der Herzmuskelzellen kann im Zusammenhang mit der Intoxikation verstanden werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pathologisches Institut der Universität Düsseldorf, Germany

    F. Borchard, B. Grabensee, W. Jax & F. Huth

  2. I. Medizinische Klinik der Universität Düsseldorf, Germany

    F. Borchard, B. Grabensee, W. Jax & F. Huth

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Borchard, F., Grabensee, B., Jax, W. et al. Morphologische Befunde bei Paraquatvergiftungen. Klin Wochenschr 52, 657–671 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01468477

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