Mikulicz Cells Research Articles

The tunica propria in rhinoscleroma. An electron microscopic study.

The ultrastructure in 15 cases of scleroma was studied. The vacuoles of the Mikulicz cells had a definite limiting membrane containing two types of granular material, "A" considered to be antibody, and "B" considered antigenic. Inside the vacuoles infrequent beaded filamentous crystalloid structures were seen, probably of a proteinaceous nature. An enzymatic etiology causing disruption of the limiting vacuolar membrane was considered. New ultrastructural characteristics of the 'early' Mikulicz cell are described. The capillaries occasionally showed subendothelial amyloid deposition. The seromucinous glands were infrequent but of normal character.

The Role of Plasma Cells in Scleroma

Three cases of rhinoscleroma in the granulomatous stage were examined under the electrom microscope. The rough endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells in scleroma displayed cisternal dilatations forming Russell bodies and cytoplasmic vacuolations containing viable and degenerated bacilli forming Mikulicz cells. Thus, they play a double role, producing antibodies and providing protection for the intracellular bacilli. New ultrastructural findings of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatic bacilli were described.

Rhinoscleroma: a Scanning Electron-Microscopic Study

Nasal biopsies from 6 patients with rhinoscleroma were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Numerous bacilli of different sizes were found on the epithelial surface. Few bacilli with thin spiral terminal cilia were seen over the surface of large protruding non-epithelial cells. These cells appeared to be the Mikulicz cells migrating from the tunica propria to the epithelial surface through small ulcerations. In the tunica propria, Mikulicz cells containing numerous bacilli were observed. In 4 patients, round bodies and long tubular structures were found on the epithelial surface. These bodies were suggested to be fungi, yet their exact nature and their relation to Klebsiella rhinoscleromatitis bacilli need further investigation.