Cowdry

Cowdry bodies are intranuclear inclusion bodies that appear in cells infected with certain types of viruses. They were first described by the American pathologist E. V. Cowdry in 1934. Cowdry bodies are typically found in cells infected with herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, and poliovirus. They can also be seen in conditions such as inclusion body myositis and Alzheimer's disease.

Types

There are two types of Cowdry bodies: Type A and Type B.

Type A Cowdry bodies are eosinophilic nuclear inclusions composed of nucleic acid and protein. They are often surrounded by a clear halo and are found in cells infected with herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus.

Type B Cowdry bodies are basophilic nuclear inclusions and are less well-defined than Type A. They are found in cells infected with poliovirus and in certain degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical significance

Cowdry bodies are a useful diagnostic tool in the identification of viral infections. Their presence in a cell is indicative of viral infection, and the type of Cowdry body can help to identify the specific virus. For example, the presence of Type A Cowdry bodies is indicative of herpes simplex or varicella zoster infection, while Type B Cowdry bodies suggest poliovirus infection or a degenerative disease such as Alzheimer's.

See also

• Inclusion bodies
• Herpes simplex virus
• Varicella zoster virus
• Poliovirus
• Alzheimer's disease

References

Cowdry Resources
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