Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of spongiform change in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Brains from three human cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and three monkey cases of transmitted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were examined. Spongiform change was present in all cases on both light and electron microscopic examination. Electron microscopic examination revealed membrane alterations within vacuoles in all cases. On SEM, both ulcerated and focally thickened membranes were apparent; TEM revealed splitting of unit membranes as well as focally thickened amorphous membranes. Small blisters with 70 to 150 nm particulates were seen on membranes in SEM. TEM revealed 10 nm electron-dense particles which might be either part of the infectious agent or a membrane alteration caused by it. The significance of these findings was discussed.