Stability of Ferruginous Bodies in Human Lung Tissue Following Death, Embalmment, and Burial

The identification of asbestos bodies in tissue sections is an indicator of past exposure to longer asbestos fibers. These structures are formed in lung tissue as a consequence of interactions with pulmonary macrophages resulting in the deposition of a ferroprotein (ferruginous) coating on the fiber...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Inhalation toxicology 2005-12, Vol.17 (14), p.789-795
Main Authors: Dodson, Ronald F., Atkinson, Mark A. L., O'Sullivan, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged, 80 and over
Asbestos - chemistry
Asbestosis - diagnosis
Asbestosis - pathology
Burial
Death
Embalming
Humans
Lung - pathology
Lung - ultrastructure
Male
Mineral Fibers
Occupational Exposure
Pulmonary Fibrosis - pathology
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Summary:The identification of asbestos bodies in tissue sections is an indicator of past exposure to longer asbestos fibers. These structures are formed in lung tissue as a consequence of interactions with pulmonary macrophages resulting in the deposition of a ferroprotein (ferruginous) coating on the fiber. While the process of ferruginous body formation is known to take months in animal tissue, there is no published information on the stability of ferruginous bodies in tissue following death. The material assessed in the present study was obtained from lung material collected from an exhumed body approximately 8 mo after death, embalmment, and burial. Tissue sections were reviewed for the presence of asbestos bodies. Additional pieces of lung tissue were digested, with the digestate being evaluated by light microscopy for ferruginous bodies and by electron microscopy for uncoated asbestos fibers and core analysis of asbestos bodies. Classical ferruginous (asbestos) bodies were found in abundance in the tissue sections including in areas with fibrosis. The levels of uncoated asbestos fibers and classical appearing ferruginous bodies (asbestos bodies) were consistent with occupational levels of tissue burden. The data from this study indicate that ferruginous bodies remain morphologically stable within the tissue for months following death, embalmment, and burial. Thus the lung tissue from this exhumed individual was usable not only to pathologically confirm asbestosis but also to provide quantitative data of occupational exposure to asbestos.
ISSN:0895-8378
1091-7691
DOI:10.1080/08958370500240199