Subcellular localization of zirconium in nodular lymphatic cells after administration of soluble salts. Study by electron microprobe.

In the literature two elements, beryllium and zirconium, have been described as inducing identical tissular lesions consisting of granulomas, which some authors have related to an immunological process. Intracellular lesions induced by beryllium sulphate have been studied previously. These lesions were essentially characterized by intranuclear inclusions rich in beryllium. In this work we have studied intracellular concentration sites of zirconium after injection of low doses of zirconium sulphate. Results show that the intracellular concentration sites are very different between both elements, as zirconium is uniquely localized in the lysosomes of the lymph node macrophages where it is associated with phosphorus.