A possible autoimmune parathyroiditis following ozone inhalation. II. A histopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunofluorescent study.

Histologic, ultrastructural, and immunofluorescent changes in the parathyroid glands of rabbits have been studied after 48 hours of ozone inhalation at a dosage of 0.75 ppm. The frequent changes observed included hyperplastic parathyroiditis followed by capillary proliferation and leukocytic infiltration. The progressive cytologic events consisted of the presence of eosinophilic leukocytes, reticuloendothelial and lymphocytic infiltration, disaggregation of the parenchyma, and interstitial edema. The ultrastructural changes consisted of degeneration of nuclei, atrophy of the mitochondria, dilatation and atrophy of the endoplasmic reticulum of the chief cells of the parathyroid gland, proliferation of the venous limb of the capillary network, and the prominent interstitial elements. The immunofluorescent techniques revealed positive immunologic response. These data suggest that ozone inhalation perhaps triggers an immune reaction which causes inflammatory injury to the parathyroid gland. The possibility that the modified functional chemical groups of the parathyroid gland act as autoantigen is discussed.