[Ultrastructural study of a renal biopsy in a patient poisoned by paraquat]

It is possible through investigation under the electronic microscope to determine the location and nature of lesions with accuracy. These lesions are mainly found on the epithelium of proximal and distal convoluted tubules. However, the extent of lesions together with the deterioration process of the cell-constituents vary from one structure to the other and even from cell to cell. On the other hand, while blood capillary vessels pertaining to tubules may also show moderate lesions, glomerular and interstitial deterioration is rare. Kidney deterioration which may either result directly from one of the poison effects or from related phenomena, is under discussion.