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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Immuno-fluorescent Labeling of Microtubules and Centrosomal Proteins in Ex Vivo Intestinal Tissue and 3D In Vitro Intestinal Organoids
Published on: December 13, 2017
Microvillous inclusion disease: ultrastructural variability
Theodore C Iancu1, Muhammad Mahajnah, Irena Manov
1Pediatric Research and Electron Microscopy Unit, The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Abstract:
Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a congenital, usually neonatal, autosomal recessive condition manifested by severe, prolonged secretory diarrhea. Intestinal biopsies reveal extensive microvilli abnormalities, typical inclusions and vesicles mainly of the apical-luminal enterocytes and colonocytes. Although diagnosis can be suspected by special stains of the mucosa (PAS, CD10), the definitive diagnosis, recommended in view of potential intestinal transplantation, requires electron microscopy. In view of the marked variability of ultrastructural changes, extensive illustration is considered valuable for diagnosis. While the pathogenesis is still unknown, a number of images illustrate the suspected "arrested-trafficking" hypothesis of microvillous abnormalities. Others micrographs support the "engulfing" mechanism of inclusion formation. The electron micrographs should help ultrastructural diagnosis in this heterogeneous disease and can confirm diagnosis even in the absence of the typical inclusions.
Insights
Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a rare congenital diarrhea. Electron microscopy is crucial for diagnosing MVID by revealing characteristic ultrastructural changes in intestinal cells.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a severe congenital secretory diarrhea.
- It is an autosomal recessive disorder typically presenting in neonates.
- Abnormalities in enterocyte and colonocyte microvilli are key pathological features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic value of electron microscopy in MVID.
- To illustrate the diverse ultrastructural findings in MVID.
- To support proposed pathogenetic mechanisms for microvillous abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of intestinal biopsies using electron microscopy.
- Special stains (PAS, CD10) for initial diagnostic suspicion.
- Detailed illustration of ultrastructural features.
Main Results:
- Electron microscopy reveals characteristic microvilli abnormalities and inclusions.
- Variability in ultrastructural changes necessitates comprehensive illustration.
- Diagnosis can be confirmed even without typical inclusions.
Conclusions:
- Electron microscopy is essential for definitive MVID diagnosis.
- Illustrations aid in recognizing heterogeneous ultrastructural pathology.
- Understanding pathogenetic hypotheses like 'arrested-trafficking' and 'engulfing' is important.
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