Abstract
The occurrence of inclusions in the conjunctival epithelial cells during trachoma has been recognized and reported universally by a number of workers. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 10 Whether the inclusions, however, comprise the etiological agent, as claimed in numerous publications, 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 or whether they are merely an incidental concomitant of the disease remains to be determined. One of the main causes of confusion regarding the rôle of the inclusion body in trachoma has been the presence of identical epithelial inclusions in other ocular infections; as inclusion blennorrhea, swimming bath conjunctivitis, vernal catarrh, etc., and even in the genito-urinary tract of man.
In accord with most investigators who have studied experimental trachoma, reports from this laboratory indicate that the inclusion does not occur in monkeys experimentally infected with the disease. 9 , 11 The question arises, therefore, whether it is possible to stimulate epithelial inclusions of the conjunctiva in animals. Uhlen-huth and Boeing 12 reported that inclusions similar to those found in trachoma are present in the conjunctival epithelial cells of hogs suffering from hog-cholera. Halberstädter, who with Prowaczek was co-discoverer of the trachoma inclusion, examined Uhlenhuth's preparations and agreed to their resemblance to trachoma inclusions. 13 Since such a high percentage of animals with hog cholera has been reported to have inclusions in the conjunctival epithelium (Uhlen-huth, et al., 88–100%, 12 , 14 Himmelberger 95% 15 ), it seemed possible to study the nature of the inclusion body by means of the hog-cholera virus.
For this reason, hog-cholera virus obtained through the courtesy of Dr. O. S. Crisler of the University of Missouri was inoculated into hogs by various routes: subconjunctival, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, as well as by intravenous injection, and conjunctival swabbing.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.