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Electron microscopic observations on a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

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Summary

Electron microscopic observations are reported on a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy unassociated with any lympho-proliferative disease. The morphological evidence suggests that the condition may be caused by the replication, in the glial cell nuclei of the central nervous system, of an infective agent belonging, or related, to the papova group of viruses. The possible implications of these observations are briefly discussed.

Résumé

Un cas de leucoencéphalopathie multifocale progressive, qui n'était associé à aucune prolifération du système lymphatique, a été étudié en microscopie électronique. Les observations parlent en faveur d'un processus dont l'origine semble résider dans la multiplication d'un agent infectieux dans les noyaux des cellules gliales du système nerveux central. Les particules étudiées présentent des caractères morphologiques qui les apparentent aux membres du group des virus papova (papillome, polyome, agent vacuolant SV-40). La signification de ces observations est brièvement discutée.

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With 11 Figures in the Text

This work was supported in part by Research Grants HE 06716 and GM 09227 from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.

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Silverman, L., Rubinstein, L.J. Electron microscopic observations on a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Acta Neuropathol 5, 215–224 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686519

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686519

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