Pulmonary macrophages activity in CO intoxication

•Pulmonary activated macrophages after lethal CO intoxication have been studied.•A notable number of activated macrophages has been put in light.•An association between CO intoxication and macrophages activity has been evidenced.

The presence of macrophages and their activation on the pulmonary tissues of 21 subjects deceased after CO intoxication has been studied. A notable number of activated macrophages, especially in the interstitial level, have been evidenced, and such phenomenon supports the hypothesis of a possible association between CO intoxication and pulmonary macrophages activity. The highlighted association could be mediated by changes of the surfactant, by impairing of mitochondrial respiration and by release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

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