Work

Influenza A/H1N1 Severe Pneumonia: Novel Morphocytological Findings in Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: We present the results of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed in three patients with severe influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Light microscopy analysis of BAL cytocentrifugates showed the presence of characteristic large, mononuclear, plasmoblastic/plasmocytoid-like cells never described before. Via transmission electron microscopy, these cells were classified as atypical type II pneumocytes and some of them showed cytoplasmic vesicles and inclusions. We concluded that plasmoblastic/plasmocytoid-like type II pneumocytes might represent a morphologic marker of A/H1N1 influenza virus infection as well as reparative cellular activation after diffuse alveolar damage.

Source: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1155/2014/470825

Authors: Paola Faverio, Stefano Aliberti, Clinton Ezekiel, Grazia Messinesi, Ambrogio Brenna, Alberto Pesci

Institutions: The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo

Language: English

Topic: Influenza Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $860