BASOPHILIC DEGENERATION OF THE MYOCARDIUM - HISTOLOGICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNO-ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDIES

We studied basophilic degeneration of heart muscle cells in 100 consec utive autopsies (74 males, 26 females). Except for two infants, the ag e of individuals whose tissue was studied ranged from 10 to 90 years ( mean age, 68.3). Using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, we found the frequency and extent of basophilic degeneration and the m aterials in type IV glycogenosis (Andersen's disease) were reactive to monoclonal antibodies raised against polyglucosan extracted from the myocardium of a patient with Lafora's disease, Basophilic degeneration was found in 98% of the entire study population and in 100% of those aged over 60, The reactivity for polyglucosan became more intense afte r diastase digestion, Immuno-electronmicroscopy using an immunogold me thod showed that the fibril-like structures of basophilic degeneration were specifically labelled by the monoclonal antibodies to polyglucos an.