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- Title
Is the trigeminal ganglia a site for viral latency in rabies viral infection?
- Authors
Mahadevan, Anita; Suja M. S.; Sagar B. C.; Madhusudana S. N.; Shankar S. K.
- Abstract
Objectives: Centrifugal spread of rabies virus from the central nervous system to cornea is well known. While the expected route of spread is via the trigeminal ganglia to the cornea, the pathological changes in this ganglion in humans is not well documented. We analyzed the trigeminal ganglia from 24 cases of rabies encephalomyelitis collected at autopsy (paralytic .22, encephalitic-2, incubation period;10 days-4yrs) to document pathological changes and attempt viral antigen localization by immunohistochemistry. Material and Methods Trigeminal ganglia from 24 cases of rabies encephalomyelitis were analyzed by routine stains and immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies to whole rabies virus and nucleocapsid. All cases were confirmed to be rabies by direct immunofluorescence and viral isolation. Results and Conclusions: Striking finding was ganglionitis, neuronophagia and degeneration of the ganglion cells with satellite cells proliferation. Efferent nerve roots showed more active axonal degradation than the afferent. Immunohistochemically viral antigen was seen in all cases, within ganglion cells, axons or satellite cells, as diffuse staining of soma or Negri bodies correlating with incubation period. Ultrastructural study in five, revealed clumps of matrix material and bullet shaped viral particles within neurons and axoplasm. This suggests active participation of this sensory ganglion in spread of the disease and could serve as a reservoir for the virus.
- Subjects
SENSORY ganglia; TRIGEMINAL neuralgia; RABIES; CENTRAL nervous system; CORNEA; ENCEPHALOMYELITIS; CELL proliferation
- Publication
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 2008, Vol 11, pS146
- ISSN
0972-2327
- Publication type
Article