Naslov
Thymus alterations related to intravenous drug abuse

Autori
Glavina-Durdov, Merica ; Definis-Gojanović, Marija

Izvornik
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology (0195-7910) 20 (1999), 2; 150-153

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
thymus alterations; intravenuous drug abuse

Sažetak
It has been noticed on forensic material that Hassall's corpuscles of the thymus are more often calcified in intravenous drug abusers than in healthy persons. Thymuses of 15 intravenous heroin addicts were histologically examined and compared with thymuses of 15 healthy persons. Acute bleeding and dystrophic calcification in the thymocyte's parenchyma were more common among intravenous drug abusers (p = .005 and p = .001, respectively). The degree of physiologic involution measured by fatty replacement and the clarity of border between cortex and medulla was equal. No significant diversity was found in the features of Hassall's bodies. Our study emphasizes the necessity for a defined criteria of morphologic changes in the thymus that could be expected in intravenous drug abusers. In that way it would be possible to complete the forensic findings as well as to examine immunologic system alterations of that risk population.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA