Histopathology Artifacts Quiz
ANSWER CASE 7
This section shows autolysis and putrefaction. Once tissue is
deprived of an effective blood supply autolysis immediately
commences, which is the breakdown of cell components by hydrolytic
enzymes released when lysosomal membranes rupture. Autolysed tissue
usually shows pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis to varying
degrees along with cytoplasmic vacuolation and eventually
disintegration of tissue structure. It is more common in autopsy
specimens than in surgical specimens. The presence of
micro-organisms in tissues can also be the product of post-mortem
growth derived from either organisms which form the natural flora
during life (such as those of the gastro-intestinal tract) or
organisms which are contaminants arriving from various sources after
death. The micrograph illustrates both autolysis and putrefaction.
There are poorly defined nuclei showing the typical defects already
described together with very imprecise cytoplasmic staining. Also
seen are many bacteria within large and small blood vessels and free
in tissue spaces. There is no tissue reaction to the presence of
these organisms. The answer is autolysis and putrefaction. If you
only have half of the answer you can have half a mark.

© Roy C. Ellis 2004