Cellular Reaction of the Bronchus, Bronchopulmonary Lymph Node and Spleen in Asthmatics

Abstract

Cellular reaction and infiltration in the bronchial walls, bronchopulmonary lymph nodes and spleens were histopathologically investigated in 31 autopsy cases of bronchial asthma and 5 autopsy cases of emphysema.The number of bronchial mast cells in patients with death during a paroxysm was smaller than that in patients without a paroxysm Mast cells during asthmatic attack showed marked degranulation and decrease in number of granules The infiltration of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in the bronchial wall was much more common in dead patients with suffocation than in those without a paroxysm. Plasma cells were infiltrated in the bronchial wall, especially around the bronchial glands. Lymphocytes were also infiltrated in the bronchial wall, gathering in groups like diffuse lymph tissue.The bronchopulmonary lymph nodes showed variable histologic pictures. Enlargement of follicles, atrophy of follicles, fibrosis and eosinophilic infiltration were investigated. The spleen was rather small in half cases. Congestion and atrophy of the spleen were remarkable in suffocation.From these facts, it was considered that degranulation of the mast cells, cellular infiltration and formation of diffuse lymph tissues in the bronchial wall and cellular reaction of the lymph nodes and spleens are possibly related to the occurrence of asthmatic attack.