title: Asbestos fibres detected by scanning electron microscopy in the gallbladder of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
abstract: Gallbladders from patients affected by both malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and important gallbladder disorders were analyzed to verify the presence of asbestos fibres. Histological thin sections were analyzed by optical microscope and variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, allowing morphological and chemical characterization of each inorganic phase observed. Fibres of chrysotile and crocidolite, minerals regulated as asbestos, were identified. By immunohistochemical analysis, connective tissue was recognized as the incorporation site. These findings confirm that asbestos fibres can reach the gallbladders of patients with MPM, for whom the development of respiratory diseases confirms asbestos exposure.
authors.affiliation: Mesothelioma Unit - Oncology - SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, General Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Croce
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit - SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, General Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Trincheri
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit - SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, General Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit - SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, General Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Libener
authors.affiliation: Mesothelioma Unit - Supportive and Palliative Care - Country Health Service, Casale Monferrato (AL), Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Degiovanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, Italy.|Interdepartmental Center "G. Scansetti," University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rinaudo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000150:complications*; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos
keywords: Asbestos; asbestos exposure; gallbladder; scanning electron microscopy