Electron Microscope Studies of Rabies Virus in Mouse Brain

The cells of brains of 2- and 3-day old mice infected with street rabies virus were examined in the electron microscope. It was observed that characteristic rod-like or elongated particles were found within a "matrix" in the cytoplasm of nerve cells and of astrocytes. These rod-like particles can be separated into two types, on the basis of slightly different morphological features. One particle is 110 to 120 mmicro wide and has double-membraned coats; the other is 120 to 130 mmicro wide and is covered by a single limiting membrane. The former is closely associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. The biological relationship between the two types is unknown, but both types of particles are considered to be street rabies viruses because of their structural features. It is believed that segmentation and branching of elongated particles may play a role in virus multiplication. Negri bodies appear as dense round bodies containing various coarse structures but no virus particles.