Histological and ultrastructural features of giant cell myocarditis: report of 3 cases

• Published in: Zhonghua bing li xue za zhi Vol. 44; no. 2; p. 123
• Main Authors: Sun, Yang, Zhao, Hong, Song, Laifeng, Wang, Qingzhi, Chu, Yan, Huang, Jie, Hu, Shengshou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Biopsy; Giant Cells - pathology; Giant Cells - ultrastructure; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Lymphocytes - pathology; Macrophages - pathology; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Myocarditis - pathology; Myocardium - pathology; Myocardium - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 0529-5807
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0529-5807.2015.02.009

To identify clinical and pathological features of giant cell myocarditis. Clinical presentation and follow-up data of three patients with giant cell myocarditis were collected.Gross, histopathological, immunohistological and ultrastructural findings of extransplantated hearts of the patients were documented. Grossly, multifocal involvement of the myocardium with variably dilated cardiac chambers were observed in all 3 cases.Histological examination revealed pronounced focal inflammatory infiltrates with multinucleated giant cells. Multinucleated giant cells were positive for CD68 and CD11b immunostains but were negative for CD163 in all cases. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the multinucleated giant cells derived from fusion of several macrophages with adherent lymphocytes and secretary cells. Clinically, the overall patient condition improved in all three cases after heart transplantation.One patient experienced acute cellular rejection (2R level) 4 months after transplantation, but recovered af