title: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A neuropathological autopsy study of 21 cases.
abstract: In a neuropathological autopsy study of 21 cases of AIDS-associated PML no fundamental morphological differences to non-AIDS PML were found. PML in AIDS often showed very large foci as well as necrotizing lesions. Partial involvement of cerebral cortex and deep gray matter were common findings; infratentorial lesions could be observed in more than three quarters of cases. Perivascular mononuclear infiltrates within PML foci were frequent and obviously not associated with a more benign clinical course. Possible reasons for these peculiarities of PML in AIDS are discussed. In 7 cases evidence of concomitant HIV encephalopathy was found; this may be one relevant factor contributing to severity of PML in AIDS. PML has to be regarded as a common complication of HIV infection, which may show atypical morphological and neuroradiological features.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Neuropathologie, Universität Münster, FRG.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuchelmeister
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gullotta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angeli
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masini
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies