Summary
The CNS and posterior root ganglia of rabbits experimentally infected with Borna virus were studied by electron microscopy. Intracytoplasmic crystalline arrays were common in the non-neuronal cell elements of the central and peripheral nervous tissues of all infected animals. Peculiar filamentous collections were seen occasionally in the central and peripheral neurons of one third of the inoculated rabbits. Control animals showed no such changes. In the affected tissues the nuclear density was increased. There were numerous cells grouped around the vessels or scattered singly or in clusters in the parenchyma. Amongst them plasma cells could be recognized as well as mononuclear cells of hematogenous origin, microglia cells in various reactive stages and macrophages derived from either of the latter cell types.
The nonspecific character of the crystalline aggregates is emphasized. The questionable viral nature of the filamentous bundles is considered briefly; other explanations as to their nature are also mentioned. Finally, attention is drawn to the heterogeneous composition of the glial nodules and to the ultrastructural variability of the various cell types found in the inflamed tissues.
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Anzil, A.P., Blinzinger, K. Electron microscopic studies of rabbit central and peripheral nervous system in experimental Borna disease. Acta Neuropathol 22, 305–318 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00809242
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00809242