Summary
A fatal case of polymyositis in a young female is presented. Two muscle biopsies obtained before and after treatment with large doses of steroids, as well as autopsy tissue, demonstrated widespread degeneration of myofibres associated with cytoplasmic tuboreticular structures resembling paramyxovirus nucleocapsids in capillary endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Aggregates of spherical particles and “simple and granular” nuclear bodies suggested a virus-related or associated etiologic agent.
In addition, interstitial cells of mesenchymal origin, probably related to macrophages or histiocytes were present. These contained numerous rodlike profiles or phagolysosomal bodies which resembled “Birbeck” granules. Inflammatory response was very scant.
It would appear that polymyositis probably represents a primary reaction to antigemic substances and a morphologic manifestation of altered host macrophage response.
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Martinez, A.J., Hooshmand, H., Mendoza, G.I. et al. Fatal polymyositis: Morphogenesis and ultrastructural features. Acta Neuropathol 29, 251–262 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685260
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685260