[The astrocyte reaction to an experimental herpes infection]

The experimental research carried out on rabbits was aimed at determination of astrocytes reaction during brain inflammation caused by Herpes simplex virus. The study was made with the help of glia marker. Immunocytochemical findings showed that the earliest structural brain responses to the infection were changes in astrocyte glia. This was evident from the swelling and hypertrophy of vessel crus and from increased number of astrocytes around the vessels. Glia complexes (astrocyte agglomeration) were formed in the affected sites. During the exudative reaction the hyperplastic alterations of astrocytes were not observed. Later the injured spots of brain tissue were replaced by proliferating astrocytes. The conducted investigation has shown the astrocyte glia to be different during different stages of the infectious process. One may suppose that different subtypes of astrocytes response has place during each stage which should be further confirmed. One may also suppose that a similar alterations of astrocytes coincide with interferon and interleukin secretion by these cells. This is suggested to be a structural base of immune response of the brain.