Cytologic findings in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Report of two cases. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Cytologic findings in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Report of two cases.

Acta Cytol. 1987 Jul-Aug;31(4):505-11. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/87266373
Suhrland MJ; Koslow M; Perchick A; Weiner E; Greco MA; Colquhoun F; Muller WD; Burstein DE

Abstract: Cytologic preparations from two cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) were obtained by stereotactically guided needle biopsies using computerized tomograms of the brain. Case 1 was a 32-year-old man with an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex. Case 2 was a 71-year-old man with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Smears showed moderate cellularity, consisting of moderately to markedly atypical cells with enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei. The chromatin pattern showed smudging, with or without clumping, similar in pattern to the human polyomavirus-infected decoy cells seen in urine cytology. Nuclei were predominantly round to oval, smoothly contoured and often stripped of cytoplasm. Occasional bizarre lobulated or multinucleated forms were seen. Some atypical cells had abundant cytoplasm exhibiting stellate projections. Histologic sections of the biopsy material confirmed the diagnosis in each case. In both cases, electron microscopy demonstrated intranuclear polyoma-type virus particles. The present findings suggest that PML should be considered in the differential diagnosis of marked cytologic atypia in brain aspirates from immunocompromised patients.
Keywords: Adult Aged AIDS-Related Complex/COMPLICATIONS Brain/MICROBIOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY Case Report Cell Nucleus/ULTRASTRUCTURE Chromatin/ULTRASTRUCTURE Cytoplasm/ULTRASTRUCTURE Human Leukemia, Lymphocytic/COMPLICATIONS Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal/COMPLICATIONS/ MICROBIOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY Male Microscopy, Electron Viruses/ULTRASTRUCTURE JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDadultagedaids-relatedcomplex/complicationsbrain/microbiology/KWDpathologycasereportcellnucleus/ultrastructurechromatin/ultrastructurecytoplasm/ultrastructurehumanleukemia,lymphocytic/complicationsleukoencephalopathy,progressivemultifocal/complications/microbiology/KWDpathologymalemicroscopy,electronviruses/ultrastructurejournalarticle
871030
M87A0314

Copyright © 1987 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1987. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1987. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .