A New Type of Inclusion Bodies in Lymphocytes

Inclusion bodies could be demonstrated in about 8 per cent of circulating lymphocytes from a female, age 70, suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis and leukopenia. By light microscopy the inclusions, which measured about 1 to 4 μ. in diameter, gave a reddish-purple colour with May-Grunwald Giemsa stain. They were faintly stained with Sudan black or PAS, but were not stained with Toluidine blue, Feulgen, or Methyl green pyronine. By electron microscopy bundles of tubules localized in cytoplasmic vacuoles or in the cytoplasmic matrix could be demonstrated. The outer diameter of each single tubule was approximately 420 A, and the diameter of its surrounding membrane was 140 A. The single tubule or bundles of tubules were often coiled. The mitochondria were sometimes arranged along the periphery of the inclusions. Similar inclusions were not found in other members of the patient's family, and it is suggested that the inclusions are related to the disease(s) and/or treatment of the patient.