Cowdry bodies

Cowdry bodies are intranuclear inclusion bodies that are often observed in cells infected with certain types of viruses, such as herpes simplex and varicella zoster. They were first described by the American pathologist E. V. Cowdry in the early 20th century.

Description

Cowdry bodies are characterized by their eosinophilic (acid-loving) nature, which means they stain readily with acidic dyes. They are typically round or oval in shape and are found within the nucleus of the cell. The presence of Cowdry bodies is often associated with cellular changes indicative of viral infection, such as nuclear enlargement and chromatin margination.

Types

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

Type A

Cowdry Type A bodies are the most commonly observed type. They are large, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions surrounded by a clear halo. They are often associated with viral infections such as herpes simplex and varicella zoster.

Type B

Cowdry Type B bodies are smaller and more basophilic (base-loving) than Type A bodies. They do not have a clear halo and are often associated with infections caused by poliovirus and coxsackievirus.

Clinical significance

The presence of Cowdry bodies in a cell is a strong indicator of viral infection. They are often used in the diagnosis of diseases such as herpes and chickenpox. However, they are not specific to any one virus and can be seen in a variety of viral infections.

See also

• Inclusion bodies
• Viral infection
• Herpes simplex virus
• Varicella zoster virus

References

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