Spread of herpes simplex virus and distribution of latent infection after intraocular infection of the mouse

Abstract

Intraocular inoculation of HSV 1 in the mouse results not only in uveitis, but also in the spread of virus via sensory, sympathetic and optic nerves. During the acute infection with HSV 1 strain SC 16 in both outbred and NIH (inbred) mice, virus reached the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion, superior cervical ganglion, both sides of the brain stem and the contralateral (uninoculated) eye. With HSV 1 strain KOS in outbred mice the same tissues became infected but virus was also isolated from the ophthalmic part of the contralateral trigeminal ganglion. After resolution of the acute disease in outbred mice, latent infection with strain KOS was demonstrated in both trigeminal ganglia and in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion. With strain KOS, virus was sometimes isolated from eyes removed more than a month after inoculation and then cultured in vitro for 2-3 weeks. By electron microscopy infected cells were seen in the choroid and sclera of such eyes.