Non-neoplastic pulmonary multinucleate giant cells. Comparative study of multinucleate giant cells in porcine dermatosis vegetans and other polykaryocytic conditions.

Pulmonary multinucleate giant cells (MGCs) in porcine dermatosis vegetans (DV) were compared with virus-induced and inflammatory-associated MGCs, with particular attention to mechanisms involved in the formation of such cells. Ultrastructurally, pigs with DV showed numerous pulmonary MGCs with transversely-sectioned interdigitating microvillous structures. Microvilli were observed closely apposed to type-II pneumocytes and with morphological characteristics of membrane bridge formation. Rabbits infected with Mycobacterium bovis exhibited multiple pulmonary granulomas with prominent MGC formation 14 days after infection. Close apposition between MGCs and small macrophages and membrane bridge formation were demonstrated ultrastructurally. Pulmonary changes in calves infected with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) included lobular consolidation and intense infiltration of inflammatory cells into the bronchial, bronchiolar and alveolar walls. Proliferation of bronchiolo-alveolar epithelial cells was prominent, but syncytiae were only occasionally demonstrated. This study of the morphological characteristics of MGCs is related to the present knowledge of mechanisms involved in membrane fusion and allows for an interpretation of an active fusion process involved in the formation of MGCs in porcine DV.