HISTOCHEMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATION OF THE PIGMENT IN PIGMENTED LIPID HISTIOCYTES OF CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE

Pigmented lipid histiocytes (PLH) of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) were examined by histochemistry and electron microscopy. The yellowish brown pigments were stainable with Sudan III and IV even in paraffin sections, and the sudanophilia was kept after oxidation with peracetic acid followed by methylation. In addition, the granules were positive to Gomori's chromium hematoxylin stain, 0.02% Nile blue sulfate stain and leuco-malachite green stain. Ultrastructural observation showed numerous intracytoplasmic granules in variable shapes and sizes measuring up to 4.8μ in diameter, with various electron densities. From these results, the pigment in PLH of CGD is comparable to a ceroid-like substance. The nature of the pigment and the pathogenesis of PLH are also discussed.