Histologic and histochemical investigation of Gaucher cells.

Electron microscopic investigations suggest that morphologically, Gaucher cells and histiocytes are very similar. The fact that there are tubular elements in the lysosomes strongly suggests the possibility of lysosomes as the precursors of Gaucher bodies. By means of the lectin staining methods, the localization of glucocerebroside is clearly demonstrable in Gaucher cells. Lectin staining is the significant diagnostic feature of both Gaucher's and Krabbe's diseases.