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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Mar 22, 2022; 13(2): 41-49
Published online Mar 22, 2022. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v13.i2.41
Application of electron microscopy in gastroenterology
Masaya Iwamuro, Haruo Urata, Takehiro Tanaka, Hiroyuki Okada
Masaya Iwamuro, Hiroyuki Okada, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
Haruo Urata, Central Research Laboratory, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
Takehiro Tanaka, Department of Pathology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
Author contributions: Iwamuro M designed the research study and wrote the paper; Urata H and Tanaka T critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content; Okada H approved the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest associated with any of the senior authors or other coauthors who contributed their efforts in this manuscript.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work noncommercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is noncommercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Masaya Iwamuro, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan. iwamuromasaya@yahoo.co.jp
Received: March 16, 2021
Peer-review started: March 22, 2022
First decision: October 16, 2021
Revised: October 26, 2021
Accepted: January 17, 2022
Article in press: January 17, 2022
Published online: March 22, 2022
Processing time: 363 Days and 3.2 Hours
Abstract

Electron microscopy has long been used in research in the fields of life sciences and materials sciences. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses have also been performed in the field of gastroenterology. Electron microscopy and EDX enable (1) Observation of ultrastructural differences in esophageal epithelial cells in patients with gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic esophagitis; (2) Detection of lanthanum deposition in the stomach and duodenum; (3) Ultrastructural and elemental analyses of enteroliths and bezoars; (4) Detection and characterization of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract; (5) Diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation; and (6) Analysis of gold nanoparticles potentially used in endoscopic photodynamic therapy. This review aims to foster a better understanding of electron microscopy applications by reviewing relevant clinical studies, basic research findings, and the state of current research carried out in gastroenterology science.

Keywords: Transmission electron microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry; Gastrointestinal disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease; Pathogens

Core Tip: This review provides an overview of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry analyses used in the field of gastroenterology. Previously reported articles have been reviewed, with a focus on electron microscopy applications. The history and present trends in electron microscopy applications in patients and research associated with digestive system diseases are also summarized.