Clinical, microscopic and ultrastructural alterations due to mustard gas poisoning

Yperite, as a chemical weapon, is responsible for severe cutaneous alterations. In this article we review the clinical aspects of mustard gas poisoning and present the electron microscopic changes found in the epidermis and superficial dermis. Sublethal and lethal alterations were present in keratinocytes and melanocytes. Other cytological aspects indicated attempts at cell division and increased metabolic activity. Some atypical features raise the possibility of mutagenesis.