[Connective tissue function and fibril formation processes in fibrous-cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis]

Electronmicroscopic and histochemical examination of connective tissue in the resected lungs of patients with fibrocavernous tuberculosis was carried out. High metabolic activity and developed ultrastructural organization of fibroblasts were observed in the foci of productive tissue response. The stages of cell differentiation and the maturation of collagen fibers resulted in the multilayer structure of both the tuberculosis foci and the cavernous wall. The activation of smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts facilitated the development of perivascular and peribronchial sclerosis. Fibroblasts were found to be in connection with lymphoid cells and macrophages that influence the intensity of fibrosis. The formation of numerous lymphoid follicles combined with the progression of fibrosis is an unfavourable prognostic symptom as it results in an excessive cirrhosis and fibrosis which inhibits the healing of destructive tuberculosis.