SEVERE STEALTH VIRUS ENCEPHALOPATHY FOLLOWING CHRONIC-FATIGUE-SYNDROME-LIKE ILLNESS - CLINICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES

The clinical histories and brain biopsy findings of 3 patients with se vere stealth virus encephalopathy are reviewed. The patients initially developed symptoms consistent with a chronic fatigue syndrome. One pa tient has remained in a vegetative state for several years, while the other 2 patients have shown significant, although incomplete, recovery . Histological and electronmicroscopic studies revealed vacuolated cel ls with distorted nuclei and various cytoplasmic inclusions suggestive of incomplete viral expression. There was no significant inflammatory response. Viral cultures provided further evidence of stealth viral i nfections occurring in these patients.