What pathological finding is characteristic of rabies infection?

The characteristic pathological finding of rabies infection is the presence of rabies virus inclusions in hippocampal cells, specifically known as Negri bodies. These inclusions are aggregates of viral proteins and are typically found in the cytoplasm of neurons. The detection of Negri bodies is significant because they serve as a diagnostic marker of rabies infection, particularly in cases where the clinical presentation suggests the disease.

In rabies, the virus affects neurons, leading to encephalitis. The hippocampus is one of the important regions of the brain affected by the virus, and the identification of these inclusions during neuropathological examination helps confirm the diagnosis.

Other options are associated with different conditions or infections: Councilman bodies are seen in viral hepatitis, Lewy bodies are observed in Parkinson's disease and related disorders, and Reed-Sternberg cells are characteristic of Hodgkin lymphoma. Each of these findings is specific to their respective conditions and does not pertain to rabies infection.