Intranuclear inclusion bodies within neurons of spinal and cranial ganglia in three cyprinid species.

A histological examination of 205 fish representing four cyprinid species from a site 2.5 miles north of Wheeling, West Virginia, on the Ohio River revealed large (2--4 micron) cuboidal intranuclear inclusion bodies (NIB's) within neurons in the cranial and spinal ganglia of three species. Because the minnows had been caught during a yearly sampling of fish, an additional 63 minnows were taken the following year. Inclusions were again observed. The NIB's stain strongly with phloxine as well as with Mallory and Giemsa stains, appearing bright red or pink. Various histochemical tests indicated that the inclusions contain protein and lipid but no carbohydrates or nucleic acids. No heavy metals were detected by electron probe analysis. At the ultrastructural level the inclusions exhibit subunits resembling hexagons measuring 326--350 nm. Previously suggested causes for such inclusions include effects of viruses, aging, drugs, cellular transformation, and an altered metabolic state of affected cells.