[Light and electron microscopy of rhinoscleroma (author's transl)]

The authors report the case of a 50 year old male patient whose rhinoscleroma, localized to the upper respiratory tract, was demonstrated by the isolation of Klebsiella bacilli and histologically. Electron microscopically the Mikulicz cells were characterized by fused vacuoles occupying the largest portion of the cytoplasm and displacing the damaged cytoplasmic organelles. Phagosomes and dense bodies reminiscent of Russel bodies also occurred in the Mikulicz cells, in the vacuoles of which formations representing Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis were demonstrated. A light halo was visible around some of these formations. It could not be, however, decided whether these halos represented the mucous sheath of the bacillus or an artifact only. In the plasmacells the authors observed the bag-like dilatation of the ergastoplasm and the presence of Russel bodies. Transitory forms were not seen among the plasma and Mikulicz cells. As a result of the treatment, Klebsiella disappeared from the nasal mucosa of the patient. The authors wish to follow by means of electron microscopy the changes of the granulation tissue and pathogens following antibiotic therapy.