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An Interpretation of the Structural Changes Responsible for the Chronicity of Rhinoscleroma
Author(s) -
Canalis Rinaldo F.,
Zamboni Luciano
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200106000-00016
Subject(s) - rhinoscleroma , histiocyte , klebsiella pneumoniae , phagosome , pathology , phagocytosis , klebsiella , microbiology and biotechnology , ultrastructure , medicine , biology , immunology , biochemistry , escherichia coli , gene
Objective To identify the structural changes of the proliferative phase of rhinoscleroma which could be responsible for the chronicity of the disease. Study Design Observational research. Methods Samples of friable tissue taken from the nasal mucosa of nine untreated patients were processed for light and ultrastructural microscopy. Results The majority of changes contributing to the chronicity of the disease occurred in the subepithelium and followed three closely related but distinct events. In the first (infiltrative), subepithelial invasion by the Klebsiella was followed by its active multiplication and proliferation of capillaries. In the second (neutrophilic), large numbers of neutrophils were delivered into this space. Neutrophils actively phagocytized the Klebsiella but appeared to die at an accelerated rate without completing digestion of the microorganisms. In the third event (histiocytic), histiocytes entered the subepithelium and engaged in unrestrained phagocytosis of decaying neutrophils, Klebsiella, and debris. During this process, the histiocytes' phagosomes underwent massive dilation, thus becoming Mikulicz cells. Mikulicz cells were unable to consistently destroy the Klebsiella and eventually ruptured, releasing them into the interstitium. Evidence was found that an autophagic process might contribute to phagosome distention and to the rupture of the vacuolar membranes and cell wall. Conclusions Several critical changes responsible for the chronicity of rhinoscleroma occur during the proliferative phase of the disease. The majority of these take place in the subepithelium and include: 1) factors leading to the transformation of histiocytes into Mikulicz cells, 2) the inability of these cells to consistently destroy the Klebsiella, 3) their rupture releasing viable Klebsiella, and 4) the intrinsic resistance of the pathogen.