Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever: Report of a Case Studied by Immunohistochemistry and Electron Microscopy

The histologic and ultrastructural findings in a fatal human case of Marburg hemorrhagic fever are reported. Marburg virus was isolated from fluids and tissues and was identified in tissues by immunohistochemistry and electron and immuno-electron microscopy. The distribution of viral antigen by ligh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ultrastructural pathology 1998, Vol.22 (1), p.3-17
Main Authors: Geisbert, Thomas W., Jaax, Nancy K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adrenal Glands - pathology
Adrenal Glands - ultrastructure
Ebola virus
electron microscopy
Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral - pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Intestine, Small - pathology
Intestine, Small - ultrastructure
Kidney - pathology
Kidney - ultrastructure
Liver - pathology
Liver - ultrastructure
Lung - pathology
Lung - ultrastructure
Male
Marburg virus
Marburg Virus Disease - pathology
Microscopy, Electron
Myocardium - pathology
Myocardium - ultrastructure
Pancreas - pathology
Pancreas - ultrastructure
pancreatitis
Spleen - pathology
Spleen - ultrastructure
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Summary:The histologic and ultrastructural findings in a fatal human case of Marburg hemorrhagic fever are reported. Marburg virus was isolated from fluids and tissues and was identified in tissues by immunohistochemistry and electron and immuno-electron microscopy. The distribution of viral antigen by light level immunohistochemistry correlated with histologic lesions and also with the ultrastructural localization of virions. The tissue distribution and lesions of Marburg virus in this patient were consistent with the disease described in other human Marburg infections. Immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural examination revealed several previously unreported findings. A striking predilection for viral infection of the pancreatic islet cells was noted. In other tissues, macrophages were the primary cellular target for Marburg virus infection, with hepato-cytes, adrenal cortical and medullary cells, and fibroblast-like cells also serving as important sites of viral replication. This case demonstrates the value of transmission electron microscopy as a tool for assisting in the definitive diagnosis of Marburg or Ebola hemorrhagic fever, as well as providing insight into the pathogenesis of these agents.
ISSN:0191-3123
1521-0758
DOI:10.3109/01913129809032253