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Occupational argyria; light and electron microscopic studies and X‐ray microanalysis
Author(s) -
BLEEHEN S.S.,
GOULD D.J.,
HARRINGTON CHRISTINE I.,
DURRANT T.E.,
SLATER D.N.,
UNDERWOOD J.C.E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1981.tb01706.x
Subject(s) - lamina densa , electron microscope , basal lamina , dermis , microanalysis , pathology , epidermis (zoology) , anatomy , microscopy , chemistry , materials science , biology , medicine , ultrastructure , optics , physics , organic chemistry
SUMMARY Microscopic studies have been performed on skin biopsies from five patients with occupational argyria. Small brown‐black granules were present in the dermis on light microscopy and were intensely refractile with dark‐field illumination. Electron microscopy showed that the granules were electron‐dense, round or oval in shape and varied in size from 30 nm to 100 nm. They were most numerous in relation to the basal lamina of the eccrine sweat glands, but were also present in relation to the basal lamina of the epidermis and dermal elastic fibres. X‐ray microanalysis confirmed that many of the granules contained silver and sulphur. However, selenium, mercury, titanium and iron were also identified and it is probable that these elements were deposited in the skin also as a result of occupational exposure.