Macrophage subtype patterns in protracted asphyxiation.

The question was examined whether protracted asphyxiation is associated with a distinct macrophage subtype pattern in lung tissue. Immunohistochemical preparations of lung specimens were tested with the antibodies MRP8, MRP14, 27E10 and 25F9 in cases of protracted asphyxiation (n = 8) and in "control" groups (hanging: n = 6; peracute deaths: n = 9). MRP8 and MRP14 interstitial cell counts showed a doubling in protracted asphyxiation. Furthermore, clear increases of 27E10 and 25F9 cells (intravascular and interstitial) were found in protracted asphyxiation, both in the intravascular and interstitial compartments. At present the results look promising as to an additional diagnostic criterion for the differential diagnosis between acute and protracted asphyxiation.