[Propagation of viruses along neuron networks by transsynaptic passage--a contribution to the pathogenesis of rabies]

Certain neurotropic viruses are carried along neuronal processes by the axonal transport mechanisms. Indirect morphologic evidence suggests that viral nucleic acid can be transmitted to other neurons by transsynaptic passage. Through this mechanism the viral genome can reach widespread and remote brain areas by propagation along neuronal networks in an intracellular milieu. This type of propagation does not require completion of full replication cycles for cell-to-cell spread; transmission of infective viral nucleic acid is in itself sufficient.