title: Artefacts in electron microscopy: ultrastructural features of chrysiasis.
abstract: Eleven cases of chrysiasis have been studied ultrastructurally and by electron probe microanalysis. Tissue samples were examined both with and without osmium and uranyl acetate staining. There was a significant morphological difference in the appearance of the gold deposits within aurosomes between the two groups. The untreated group showed finely granular deposits, often arranged in a linear fashion. Aurosomes from samples treated with osmium and uranyl acetate showed more electron-dense deposits and star-like formations. We propose that treatment of the tissue with osmium and uranyl acetate causes a change in the electron microscopic appearance of aurosomes, including the formation of the characteristic star-like aurosomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Southampton General Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Culora
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Theaker
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D050607:Organogold Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D050607:Organogold Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C005460:uranyl acetate; D009993:Osmium Tetroxide