Granuloma and plasma cell formation induced by the subcutaneous implantation of beta-whitlockite particles.

In this paper, the formation of a granuloma following subcutaneous implantation of beta-whitlockite powder is described. The implants were removed after 3, 5 and 7 wk and examined histologically. In the granuloma giant cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells are present. The presence of plasma cells indicates that not only inflammation occurs, but that an immunoresponse also takes place. Resorption and phagocytosis of particles was observed and the particles were found in the regional lymph nodes after 7 wk. beta-Whitlockite powder induces an inflammation and both a cellular and a humoral immunological response, when implanted subcutaneously.