Follicular (mineral oil) lipidosis: I. Epidemiologic studies of involvement of the spleen.

A histologic study of spleens from autopsies performed in 74 centers in 41 countries showed the incidence of follicular (mineral oil) lipidosis to vary from 50 per cent (North America, Australia, New Zealand) to nil (Africa, Central and South America) in 1970 and 1971. Analysis of the factors responsible for the condition leads to the conclusion that the lipid is ingested from sources related to the packaging and display of foodstuffs.