Negri bodies, also referred to as Negri corpuscles, are unique cellular structures that are found specifically in the nervous tissue of animals infected with the rabies virus. These bodies were first discovered and described by Adelchi Negri, an Italian physician, in the year 1903.
Negri bodies are eosinophilic inclusion bodies that are visualized within the cytoplasm of infected neurons. They are primarily composed of aggregates of viral proteins and nucleocapsids, which are the viral genetic material surrounded by a protein coat. Negri bodies are often round or oval-shaped and can vary in size from small granules to larger structures visible under a microscope.
These bodies serve as a pathological hallmark of rabies infection, and their presence is a crucial diagnostic feature for the disease. The identification of Negri bodies in neural tissue during an autopsy or biopsy can help confirm the presence of rabies virus within the individual. They are most commonly observed in specific regions of the brain, such as the hippocampus, cerebellum, or spinal cord.
While the precise function of Negri bodies is not completely understood, it is believed that they play a role in the replication and spread of the rabies virus within the nervous system. As the virus progresses, the accumulation of Negri bodies within infected neurons contributes to the neurological symptoms associated with rabies, such as hyperactivity, aggressiveness, and paralysis.
Overall, Negri bodies represent a significant pathological characteristic of rabies infection and are crucial in the diagnosis and understanding of the disease.
