Langhans giant cell

Not to be confused with Langerhans cell.
Granulation tissue with a poorly formed granuloma to the left of centre. Within this area there is a multinucleate giant cell of the Langhans type. The patient had a healing mycobacterial infection of the skin (Mycobacterium ulcerans infection).

Langhans giant cells (LGC) are giant cells found in granulomatous conditions.

They are formed by the fusion of epithelioid cells (macrophages), and contain nuclei arranged in a horseshoe-shaped pattern in the cell periphery.[1]

Although traditionally their presence was associated with tuberculosis, they are not specific for tuberculosis or even for mycobacterial disease. In fact, they are found in nearly every form of granulomatous disease, regardless of etiology.

  1. ^ "Pulmonary Pathology". Retrieved 2008-11-21.