Virus-like Particles in the Human Vestibular Ganglion Cells

Abstract

Intracytoplasmic aggregates of particles are found in the human vestibular ganglion cells. They are always observed in the peripheral area of the cytoplasm whose morphological characteristics are no different from other ganglion cells. These inclusion bodies are round in shape and measure about 1.7μm in maximum diameter. They consist of a porous convoluted dense material and particles. The over-all diameter of 118 randomly selected particles varies from 36nm to 73nm and the mean value is 53nm. Most of the particles are spherical but a few possess a hexagonal or semicircular profile. The particles exhibit a double external membrane or vesiculated external layer. Most of the particles are empty. There are, however, some particles which show vesicular structures in their content. Although our present data are insufficient to determine these particles as virus, their hexagonal shape and size is similar to virus particles. With these data in mind, we might assume that these particles are dormant form of virus and could produce infectious disease in the inner ear.