title: Birbeck granules, worm-like bodies and "lupus erythematosus virus".
abstract: The origin of worm-like bodies and their relationship with Birbeck granules is poorly understood. To clarify the origin of worm-like bodies and their relationship with Birbeck granules. Over 800 electron micrographs of histiocytic disorders and several appendage tumours were reviewed in order to check for worm-like bodies and Birbeck granules. Worm-like bodies were most often encountered in mildly- to moderately-proliferative histiocytic tumours. Birbeck granules were observed in more malignant conditions. Narrow endoplasmic reticulum (Nrer), which resembles worm-like bodies, was abundant in worm-like body-rich cells and coexisted with Birbeck rods. Nrer is thought to be one of the candidates that gives rise to worm-like bodies. An ultrastructural similarity exists between worm-like bodies (and octopus body formation) and the so-called "lupus erythematosus virus". The presence of Nrer is often concomitant with other organelle markers, and could be a candidate for the origin of worm-like bodies.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit MI, USA.
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Hashimoto
authors: Department of Dermatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Minamiuonuma,, Department of Dermatology, Niigata University School of Medicine.
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Fujiwara
authors: Department of Dermatology, Niigata Sin-ai Hospital, Niigata, Japan.
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Birbeck granule; Nrer; histiocytic tumor; narrow endoplasmic reticulum; worm-like body