Nuclear bridges in multinucleated giant cells associated with primary lymphoma of the brain in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

In an autopsied case of a 37-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), multinucleated giant cell encephalopathy was noted in close proximity to multiple nodules of primary lymphoma of the brain. Some multinucleated giant cells and macrophages contained HTLV-III-like viral particles. Nuclear bridges, thin strands connecting individual nuclei with one another, were observed with both light and electron microscopes within some of the multinucleated giant cells. There were also thin tapering nuclear processes, which were probably part of nuclear bridges. The possibility that the nuclear bridges and processes represent amitotic nuclear division is discussed.