Olfactory transmission of neurotropic viruses.
Olfactory receptor neurons are unique in their anatomical structure and function. Each neuron is directly exposed to the external environment at the site of its dendritic nerve terminals where it is exposed to macromolecules. These molecules can be incorporated into by olfactory receptor neurons and transported transsynaptically to the central nervous system. Certain neurotropic pathogens such as herpes simplex virus and Borna disease virus make use of this physiological mechanism to invade the brain. Here the authors review the olfactory transmission of infectious agents and the resulting hazards to human and animal health.
Mori
Isamu
I
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Research Center for Infectious Disease, Aichi Medical University School of Medecine, Aichi, Japan. isamor@aichi-med-u.ac.jp
Nishiyama
Yukihiro
Y
Yokochi
Takashi
T
Kimura
Yoshinobu
Y
D000818:Animals; D001891:Borna disease virus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D020805:Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D018114:Lyssavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000821:virology; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000821:virology; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000821:virology*; D018098:Paramyxovirinae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011328:Prions / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000821:virology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000821:virology*
D011328:Prions