The role of macrophages in interstitial lung diseases: Number 3 in the Series "Pathology for the clinician" Edited by Peter Dorfmüller and Alberto Cavazza.

The finding of collections of macrophages/histiocytes in lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage is relatively common in routine practice. This morphological feature in itself is pathological, but the exact clinical significance and underlying disease should be evaluated together with clinical data, functional respiratory and laboratory tests and imaging studies.Morphological characteristics of macrophages and their distribution along the different pulmonary structures should be examined carefully by pathologists.

Simian virus 40 sequences and expression of the viral large T antigen oncoprotein in human pleomorphic adenomas of parotid glands.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) sequences of the early region coding for the large T antigen (Tag) oncoprotein were investigated in DNA samples from human pleomorphic adenoma (PA) of parotid glands. Specific SV40 sequences were detected, by PCR and filter hybridization with an internal oligoprobe, in 28 of 45 (62%) human PA specimens. None of the DNA samples from 11 normal salivary gland tissues was SV40-positive.