Chronic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated arthritis: a synovial ultrastructural study.
We describe a patient who developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex, complicated by chronic, symmetric polyarthritis. Synovial biopsy showed large areas of plasma cell infiltration subjacent to the synovial lining. Ultrastructural study demonstrated tubuloreticular structures within endothelial cells, crystal-like inclusions in plasma cells, and virus-like particles located around synoviocyte fragments. Although immunologic and morphologic studies did not permit classification of these virus-like structures, the role of these possible virions in the pathogenesis of the observed synovitis remains to be determined. Surprisingly, the patient's chronic arthritis resolved with anti-retroviral treatment (azidothymidine: AZT).
Bentin
J
J
Division of Rheumatology, Erasmus Hospital, University of Brussels, Belgium.
Feremans
W
W
Pasteels
J L
JL
Hauzeur
J P
JP
Menu
R
R
Appelboom
T
T
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000175:diagnosis; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015215:Zidovudine