Mini-symposium: pathology of infectious diseasess
Mycobacterial infection: a histopathological chameleon

https://doi.org/10.1054/cdip.2000.0023Get rights and content

Abstract

Mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and are responsible for several time-honoured diseases including tuberculosis and leprosy. With the advent of the AIDS epidemic, mycobacterial disease, including that caused by atypical mycobacteria, has been thrust back into the pathological arena, requiring histopathologists to recognise the different guises that these infections may take. The histopathology of mycobacterial infection is discussed, including tuberculosis, atypical mycobacteria inclusive of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, M. ulcerans, M. kansasii, M. marinum and M. leprae, with special reference to the relationship between the patient's immune response and the mycobacterium concerned. In addition the histopathology of mycobacterial pseudotumour is reviewed and the cytological diagnosis of mycobacterial infection by fine needle aspiration discussed. Pitfalls in the histopathological recognition of these diseases are identified. The role of mycobacteria in the aetiology of sarcoidosis is also examined.

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