Desquamative alveolar disease (desquamative interstitial pneumonia): case report

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is a disease characterized by massive alveolar cell proliferation and desquamation with sparse interstitial involvement. The reported case shows an unusually widespread radiographic reticulo-nodular image and abundant alveolar cells in the sputum. Functional studies reveal the expected diffusion defect with practically normal mechanical properties of the lung, in contrast with interstitial fibrosing lung diseases. On the basis of the pathological findings, especially the behaviour of alveolar cells, the individuality of this disease is discussed. We think that it is different from other diseases classed as varieties of a single disease or as different entities under the names of primary interstitial fibrosis or chronic fibrosing alveolitis.

Mycelial phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Blastomyces dermatitidis: an electron microscope study

A comparative study of the mycelial phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Blastomyces dermatitidis reveals that both fungi are very much alike, containing multiple nuclei and nuclear pores, mitochondria, ribosomes, scarce endoplasmic reticulum, intracytoplasmic membrane systems, glycogen, and vacuoles. Shadowed cell walls show fine fibrillar surfaces that contrast with those in the yeast phase. The intracytoplasmic membrane system is continuous with the plasma membrane and is similar to bacterial mesosomes. Granules with light cores and dark rims are observed in the plasma membrane. Live hyphae growing inside a dead hypha are found much more frequently in immersed cultures than in solid-medium cultures, suggesting that breakage of the hypha could elicit this phenomenon.