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Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine
08:00

Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine

Published on: June 24, 2019

Normal variation in intraepithelial lymphocytes of the terminal ileum

Smiljana Istvanic1, Rhonda K Yantiss, Stephen P Baker

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, St Margaret's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|April 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Occasional intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are normal in the ileum of healthy individuals. This study establishes a reference range for IELs in normal ileal mucosa, aiding in accurate diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the terminal ileum are noted in colonic inflammatory diseases.
  • Normal ranges for IELs in asymptomatic individuals' ileal mucosa are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the acceptable range of IELs in normal ileal mucosal biopsy specimens.
  • To provide a reference for interpreting IEL counts in ileal biopsies.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed CD3+ IEL counts in ileal biopsy specimens from 61 asymptomatic patients.
  • Quantified IELs per 100 enterocytes in 3 villi per specimen.
  • Correlated IEL counts with patient age.

Main Results:

  • The mean number of ileal CD3+ IELs was 3.8 +/- 2 per 100 enterocytes (median, 3; range, 0-9).
  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between IEL count and increasing age.
  • Approximately 4 IELs per 100 enterocytes are considered normal in asymptomatic individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Occasional IELs are a normal finding in asymptomatic patients' ileal biopsies.
  • Avoid overinterpreting the significance of occasional IELs in normal ileal mucosa.
  • This study provides crucial reference values for diagnosing ileal conditions.

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