Atypical Bronchiolar Proliferation and Metaplasia Associated with Tuberculosis

¹ Department of Laboratories, Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and type of epithelial hyperplasia of bronchiolar epithelium associated with tuberculosis.

It is suggested that adenomatous and basal cell hyperplasia probably represent a nonspecific response, and reflect injury to respiratory epithelium.

A significant incidence (12.5 per cent) of atypical hyperplasia of bronchiolar epithelium was noted in cases of tuberculosis.

It is concluded that bronchiolar epitheliurm under appropriate stimulus may undergo changes ranging from obviously benign hyperplasia to a more vaguely defined atypical proliferative response, which may be indistinguishable from cancer of the noninvasive type. Proliferations of the latter type may be significant in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, especially that of peripheral, or bronchiolar origin.