Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis: An Electron Microscopic and Immunofluorescent Study

Electron microscopic and immunofluorescent studies are reported in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, suggesting that idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis is distinct from other pulmonary hemorrhagic syndromes associated with antibasement membrane antibody or immune complex mediated diseases. The ultrastructural studies showed evidence of nonspecific lung injury and indirect evidence of vascular lesions. No subendothelial deposits or basement membrane lesions were seen. Immunofluorescent studies failed to reveal any evidence for localization of IgG, IgM, βIC, Clq or fibrinogen in the lung. Investigation of platelet function showed low and low normal values of platelet retention on a glass bead column, but findings were otherwise normal.