Pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus type 2 experimental genital infection in pregnant mice

The progression of herpes simplex-2 genital infection in pregnant mice was studied by detection of viral antigens using immunoperoxidase in tissue sections, electron microscopy and virus isolation. The majority of mice (66.66%) died at 8-9 days post-inoculation. Abortions were observed in 69.23% of the infected mice along with impairment of labor and delivery. Herpes antigens were detected in most of the autonomic nerves of the uterus, including those surrounding small arterioles in the myometrium and the Auerbach and Meissner plexa of the large bowel, but not in the abortions or placentas. The infection of uterine autonomic fibers and myometrial cells could explain the delivery impairment and could have provoked a decrease in blood flow leading to abortions.