[Experimental granulomas]

The various techniques used for obtaining granulomatous lesions are reviewed, account being taken of the type of animal, the organ, the inducing agent and its mode of administration. The different aspects of the granulomatous lesions are then described with respect to the cell population examined and to the dynamic of the macrophagic behaviour within the lesions, the dynamics making it possible to make a classification according to the rate of renewal of the cell population concerned. Some particular cases are examined, in particular with regard to the interactions of the granuloma with other pathological processes such as bacterial infection or immunitary reactions.