Cytomembranous inclusions in the brain of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

S. Lee, C. Harris, A. Hirschfeld, D. W. Dickson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ultrastructural studies of cells and tissues in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have revealed two distinct cytomembranous inclusions referred to as "tubuloreticular inclusions" (TRI) and "confronting cylindrical cisterns" (CCC). TRI are found most often in leukocytes and endothelial cells in conditions with elevated levels of alpha-interferon, such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases and certain neoplasms. On the other hand, CCC are detected almost exclusively in mononuclear inflammatory cells and are limited to a few conditions, of which AIDS is the most common. CCC have been proposed as an ultrastructural marker for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We describe CCC in mononuclear inflammatory cells in the brain of a patient with AIDS. Finding CCC in brain tissue with no other specific feature such as multinucleated giant cells, nevertheless, should alert the neuropathologist to the possibility that the patient might have AIDS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)101-106
Number of pages6
JournalActa neuropathologica
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1988

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Confronting cylindrical cisterns
  • Cytomembranous inclusions
  • Tubuloreticular inclusions
  • Ultrastructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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