Basis of neurotropism of rabies virus: a new hypothesis.

There is evidence that rabies viruses travel along the peripheral nerves, in the axoplasm to reach the central nervous system (CNS). It is hypothesised that rabies viruses are attracted electrically or magnetically by the nerve impulses to the CNS. This explains why rabies viruses show specific affinity towards nerve tissue. The present hypothesis offers a new approach to the study of pathogenesis of the various neurotropic viruses.