Figure 3.

Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide or carbonyl sulfide results in damage to the thalamus (panels B and C, respectively), as well as other locations in the CNS (not shown). Vacuolation of the neuropil adjacent to neurons and capillaries is prominent in both, although the affected cell types are not identifiable in H&E‐stained sections. (B) The glial response is composed of increased numbers of glia (arrows) surrounding neurons (satellitosis). (C) Several gemistocytic astrocytes (arrowheads) are prominent in an area of gliosis that is almost devoid of neurons (a single degenerating neuron is identified in this field, arrow). A mitotic figure (to the left of the asterisk) likely represents microglial/histiocytic activation and proliferation. Note the rarity of perineural glia and homogeneity of the neuropil in the thalamus of a mouse not exposed to H₂S or COS (A). H&E stain; scale bar is 10 μm.