Summary
We have identified three structures that have not previously been reported in electron microscopic examinations of brain from patients with PML: 1. coiled nuclear bodies that may possibly represent tubular paramyxovirus nucleocapsids, 2. Hirano bodies and 3. Neurofibrillary tangles.
The paramyxovirus-like material is interesting in view of reports of a transition between nuclear bodies and tubular paramyxovirus nucleocapsids and because of a possible interaction between syncytiogenic paramyxoviruses and Papova viruses in the pathogenesis of SSPE and PML. A study of the Hirano bodies in this case, taken in conjunction with the findings of others leads us to believe that these structures are formed from an overgrowth of neurofilaments. The presence of tangled masses of neurofilaments in the processes of neurons also seen in the present case is consistent with this hypothesis.
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Hadfield, M.G., Martinez, A.J. & Gilmartin, R.C. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with paramyxovirus-like structures, Hirano bodies and neurofibrillary tangles. Acta Neuropathol 27, 277–288 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690693
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690693