The fine structure of lung macrophages from rhesus and squirrel monkeys, with special reference to the large numbers of mitochondria.

Alveolar macrophages from 2 species of nonhuman primates, rhesus and squirrel monkeys, were studied by electron microscopy. These macrophages seemed to differ from their counterparts in other animal species with respect to their large numbers of mitochondria. Monkey alveolar macrophages often contained crystalline material and a variety of inclusions in their cytoplasm, which did not seem to interfere with their phagocytic ability. The significance of these findings as they might relate to pulmonary infestation with mites and nematodes is discussed.