DISSEMINATED TALC GRANULOMATOSIS - AN UNUSUAL FINDING IN A PATIENT WITH ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME AND FATAL CYTOMEGALO-VIRUS INFECTION

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 109  (2) , 147-150
Abstract
The association of disseminated magnesium silicate talc granulomatosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is reported in a male homosexual who used i.v. drugs and who died of overwhelming cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Autopsy findings included widespread deposition of talc crystals in the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen. Typical CMV inclusions were seen in the lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract and right eye. There was no evidence of malignancy. Analysis of peripheral blood neutrophil function revealed impaired chemotaxis and chemokinesis, but opsonophagocytosis had remained normal. The CMV infection in the small bowel was extensive and resulted in severe destruction of the muscularis propria and neural plexi, leading to marked dilatation and persistent diarrhea. The terminal course was marked by intractable hypotension, pneumonitis and malnutrition, which could be attributed, respectively, to CMV involvement of the adrenal glands, lungs and small bowel. The etiology and possible role of systemic talc granulomatosis in the development of immunosuppressive illness is reported herein.

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