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The Sternberg cell, the malignant cell of Hodgkin's disease, remains of uncertain nature 80 years after it was first described. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced as to its origin: that it derives from the macrophages, B lymphocyte, T lymphocyte, interdigitating reticulum cell or even from an as yet unidentified cell-line. We here review these various hypotheses, as well as the different techniques used for its study. The morphologic, ultrastructural, histochemical and immunologic studies are discussed in detail.

The eldest autopsied case (a 23-year-old man) of infantile form of cystinosis with uremia and myxoedema was reported. The cystine content per gram wet tissue of various organs was arranged as follows: the thyroid (4.61 mg), kidney (1.71 mg), eye (0.75 mg), spleen (0.65 mg), liver (0.49 mg), and brain (0.016 mg). In polarized light microscopy, cystine crystals were detected in the epithelial cells and epithelial lumina of both kidneys by Wollaston test, and foam cells with cystine crystals were histologically found in the reticuloendothelial and other organs, especially in the bone marrows. Moreover, electron microscopic findings revealed square, rectangular or lozenge-shaped small cystine crystal profiles in osmophilic dense bodies of the histiocytic cells and in the cytoplasm of the foam cells. In some of them, positive reaction for acid phosphatase activity was specifically localized at the periphery of the cystine crystal profiles.

Hamster hematopoietic and lymphatic organs were studied sequentially by light and electron microscopy following Venezuelan encephalitis virus inoculation. In addition to extensive marrow and splenic necrosis nearly transmural necrosis of the ileum in Peyer's patch areas, with concomitant bacterial overgrowth, was noted. Viruses were observed ultrastructurally in reticular cells of Peyer's patches. In addition, bacterial blood cultures, consistent with an enteric origin, were generally positive in late stages of the infection. Reticuloendothelial function, measured by clearance of colloidal carbon, was significantly depressed in Venezuelan encephalitis virus-infected hamsters. It is proposed that the acute death of hamsters infected with Venezuelan encephalitis virus may be determined by the development of an endotoxic shock syndrome mediated by the extensive ileal lesions, coupled with impaired reticuloendothelial detoxifying function.