Related Experiment Videos
Granular ependymitis. Occurrence in myxovirus infected rodents and prevalence in man
Abstract:
Intracerebral inoculation of neuropathic and nonneuropathic strains of mumps virus into adult hamsters resulted in an acute focal infection of ependymal cells followed by focal ependymal denuding. Similar lesions followed defective infection with influenza A in both hamsters and mice; when a large amount of influenza A was inoculated, aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus developed in some adult animals as a sequela of widespread ependymal cell loss. A survey of 100 consecutive adult human brains showed that 65% had granular ependymitis which had many of the characteristics found in the focal ependymal lesions produced in rodents. These studies suggest that human CNS mumps infections may produce granular ependymitis.
Insights
Mumps virus and influenza A can cause ependymal cell damage in the brain. Studies suggest these viral infections may lead to granular ependymitis in humans.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Neuropathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Viral infections can affect the central nervous system (CNS).
- Ependymal cells lining the brain ventricles are a potential target for viral pathogens.
- Granular ependymitis is a neuropathological finding of unknown etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuropathological effects of mumps virus and influenza A virus on ependymal cells in animal models.
- To compare experimentally induced ependymal lesions with human cases of granular ependymitis.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral inoculation of mumps virus (neuropathic and nonneuropathic strains) and influenza A virus into adult hamsters and mice.
- Histopathological examination of brain tissue to assess ependymal cell damage and lesion development.
- Survey of 100 adult human brains for the presence of granular ependymitis.
Main Results:
- Intracerebral mumps virus inoculation caused acute focal ependymal cell infection and denuding in hamsters.
- Influenza A virus infection induced similar ependymal lesions in hamsters and mice.
- High-dose influenza A led to aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus in some animals due to ependymal cell loss.
- 65% of human brains examined exhibited granular ependymitis with characteristics similar to experimentally induced lesions.
Conclusions:
- Mumps virus and influenza A virus can induce significant ependymal cell pathology.
- Experimental findings suggest a potential viral etiology for human granular ependymitis.
- Mumps virus CNS infections may be a cause of granular ependymitis in humans.