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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Tracking Mouse Bone Marrow Monocytes In Vivo
Published on: February 27, 2015
Novel tubular inclusions in the bone marrow in multiple sclerosis: an ultrastructural study of early autopsy material
Abstract:
Samples of bone marrow taken at early autopsy from patients who died with multiple sclerosis and from control cases, were examined ultrastructurally with the aim of detecting any infectious agents which might be present. No recognizable virus or mycoplasma was detected. However, rare bizarre cellular inclusions were found in 2 cases. The inclusions which are unlike anything previously described in MS consisted of fine (ca 17 nm) sinuous tubules occasionally showing dilated discoid ends. They occurred together with fragmentary electron opaque material in large membrane bound vacuoles in unidentified cells. Despite superficial resemblance to some viral nucleocapsids it is considered more likely that they have been formed as a result of degenerative phagocytic or autolytic activity. The specificity or otherwise of these inclusions to MS remains to be demonstrated.
Insights
Researchers examined bone marrow samples from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls for infectious agents. No viruses or mycoplasmas were found, but unique cellular inclusions were observed in some MS cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- The etiology of MS remains incompletely understood, with infectious agents being a long-standing area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ultrastructurally examine bone marrow samples from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and control cases.
- To identify any potential infectious agents, such as viruses or mycoplasmas, within these samples.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy bone marrow samples were collected from early MS cases and controls.
- Samples underwent ultrastructural examination using electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- No recognizable viruses or mycoplasmas were detected in any of the samples.
- Rare, unique cellular inclusions were observed in two MS cases.
- These inclusions consisted of tubular structures within vacuoles, possibly resulting from degenerative processes rather than viral infection.
Conclusions:
- The study did not identify any infectious agents in the bone marrow of MS patients.
- Unusual cellular inclusions were found, but their direct link to multiple sclerosis requires further investigation.
- The findings suggest these inclusions may represent a non-specific degenerative phenomenon.
