Studies on asphyxia: morphological research for the aid of diagnosis of asphyxia using light and electron microscopy...

The lattice-form structure and/or tubular myelin can be found in the debris-like structure which is the pinkish substance in the alveolar space in the Hematoxylin & Eosin stained sections. These findings were obtained by using rats in the air containing oxygen of 5% or mixing and/or contaminating each of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and freon gases. The immunohistochemical detection using the monoclonal mouse antibody against human pulmonary surfactant (PS) apoprotein is of highly useful. The positive reaction products observed in the alveolar space indicate the localization of the tubular myelin. The data suggest that the PS appears when the inhaled air contains oxygen in low concentration. The immunohistochemical method using the antibody against human PS apoprotein is worth applying for the diagnosis of oxygen deficiency including the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the new born. We conclude that the appearance of the positive reaction products suggests that, at least, the air did not come in contact with the surface of alveoli, which leads us to the diagnosis of death was from oxygen deficiency, even if we are at the stage when the mode of death is undetermined.