Cell death in granulomata: the role of apoptosis

Unequivocal apoptosis were seen by light microscopy in examples of leprosy, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, Crohn's disease and foreign body granulomata. A limited electron microscopic investigation showed typical apoptotic bodies in both sarcoid and leprosy granulomata. The number of apoptosis and mitoses in granulomata were counted and their densities calculated. The wide variation in the results between individual lesions may reflect differences in disease activity.