The nature of multinucleated cells in the nasopharynx

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Exfoliated multinucleated epithelial cells were shown to be present in nasopharyngeal smears from patients with moniliasis, tuberculous lesions, and non-specific chronic inflammations of the nasopharynx. Multinucleated cells found in the nasopharynx were cytologically similar to the so-called measles giant cells. Because of the association of these cells with a number of chronic inflammatory lesions, their function is probably related to phagocytosis. In evidence thereof, a few multinucleated cells, presumably of epithelial origin, showed phagocytosed particles within their cytoplasm. This view is also based on corroborative evidence given by a number of workers that epithelial cells in the respiratory mucosa and in the endometrium were shown to assume phagocytic functions comparable to those of free histiocytes.The epithelial lining of the human nasopharynx is composed of squamous, ciliated, and transitional epithelia. On average, approximately 40% of the nasopharyngeal mucosa is covered by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium (Ali, 1965). The ciliated epithelium of the nasopharynx is, morphologically, similar to that lining the trachea and bronchi but has a tendency to be taller (Papanicolaou, 1954). The most characteristic cytological features of the ciliated columnar epithelium are the cilia, the heavy cuticular border, the round to oval granular nucleus, and the perinuclear cytoplasmic vacuolation. In addition, Papanicolaou (1954) The purpose of this communication is to report the frequent occurrence of multinucleated cells amongst other cells exfoliated from the human nasopharynx and to present the conditions associated with their presence. The genesis and the possible function of these cells are briefly discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODSNasopharyngeal swabs were taken from 138 patients suspected of having carcinoma of the nasopharynx and from 25 apparently healthy individuals. Two smears, on non-albuminised microscopic slides, were prepared from each swab and immediately fixed in equal parts of ether and 95 % alcohol. Nasopharyngeal biopsies were then taken from the 138 patients and nasopharyngeal mucosa from 100 necropsied medico-legal cases was utilized for the study of the normal histology.The cytological smears and paraffin sections of the biopsy and necropsy material were all stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The same stain was used for the histological and cytological preparation to facilitate comparison of various cell types in each.The cytological preparations were examined for the presence of malignant cells and each specimen was com-424 on 12 May 2018 by guest. Protected by copyright.

Wild-type measles virus infection of primary epithelial cells occurs via the basolateral surface without syncytium formation or release of infectious virus

“…Thus, exfoliated epithelial giant cells in swab samples taken from patients -a historical diagnostic feature of measles (Lightwood & Nolan, 1970;Scheifele & Forbes, 1972) -may not arise as a consequence of direct MV infection but instead may occur as result of an inflammatory immune response. Interestingly, similar epithelial giant cells are often reported in cases of non-specific chronic inflammation of the nasopharynx (Ali, 1965).…”