Summary
Mature explants of mouse spinal cord and ganglia have been infected with Herpes virus hominis type 2. After 48 h, a high titer of virus was detected in the explant and typical herpes-like particles were seen by electron microscopy. They were more numerous in sensory neurons and Schwann cells than in the CNS possibly because of a more rapid propagation through the extracellular space in spinal ganglia. In the infected nuclei, besides the naked particles, numerous tubular formations were found, apparently resulting from virus infection and specific for herpes type 2. Their dimensions and fine structure are illustrated and compared to other microtubular formations.
In the cytoplasm of theneurons, a dramatic disorganisation occurred and, in the Schwann cell, the plasma membrane underwent disruption. Consequently, the normal axon — Schwann cell intimate contact was lost.
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This work has been supported by a grant n0 1120 from the “Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale” (Belgium), by a University grant for the Laboratory of neuroanatomy (Dr. O. Périer) and by a grant from the “Fonds de la Recherche Fondamentale Collective”.
Chargée de Recherches au “Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique” Belgium.
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Dubois-Dalcq, M., Buyse, M., Lefebvre, N. et al. Herpes virus hominis type 2 and intranuclear tubular structures in organized nervous tissue cultures. Acta Neuropathol 22, 170–179 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688783
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688783