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Pathology and immunocytochemistry of a Kuru Brain
Author(s): Hainfellner JA, Liberski PP, Guiroy DC, Cervenakova L, Brown P, Gajdusek DC, Budka H
Source: BRAIN PATHOLOGY    Volume: 7    Issue: 1    Pages: 547-553    Published: JAN 1997  
Times Cited: 44     References: 30     
Abstract: We report here results of modern staining techniques including anti-prion protein (PrP) immunocytochemistry to a set of archival brain specimens of a 16 year-old male who died from kuru in 1967. Brain suspensions transmitted disease to chimpanzees and New World monkeys. The PrP gene is homozygous for valine at the polymorphic codon 129. Histology shows neuronal loss, spongiform change, and astrogliosis. Lesions are maximal in parasagittal and interhemispheric areas of frontal, central and parietal cortex, cingulate cortex, striatum, and thalamus, and are accentuated in middle and deep cerebral cortical layers. PrP accumulates as diffuse synaptic type deposits and mostly unicentric plaques. PrP deposition is maximal in parasagittal and interhemispheric areas of frontal, central and parietal cortex, cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellar cortex. Plaques are prominent in the striatum, thalamus, and granular layer of cerebellar cortex. Meticulous examination reveals only rare ''florid'' plaques with surrounding vacuolation.

We conclude that 1) pathology including immunomorphology of PrP deposition in this kuru brain is within the lesion spectrum of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease although plaques are unusually prominent and widespread; 2) kuru does not share the neuropathological hallmarks of the new Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease variant recently reported in the UK and France; 3) topographic prominence of PrP deposition parallels that of spongiform change and/or astrogliosis.

Document Type: Article
Language: English
Addresses:
1. UNIV VIENNA, INST NEUROL, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
2. MED ACAD LODZ, DEPT ONCOL, ELECTRON MICROSCOP LAB, LODZ, POLAND
3. NIH, CENT NERVOUS SYST STUDIES LAB, BETHESDA, MD 20892 USA
Publisher: INT SOC NEUROPATHOLOGY, 200 LOTHROP ST A506, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213
Subject Category: Clinical Neurology; Neurosciences; Pathology
IDS Number: WD341
ISSN: 1015-6305
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