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[Recurrent herpetic keratitis in mice]
1Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the mechanism of recurrence in herpes simplex keratitis, it is very important to establish an animal model. As a first step, mice were examined with the slit-lamp biomicroscope to determine whether they spontaneously showed recurrent epithelial keratitis after healing of primary herpetic keratitis. Among 90 eyes of 45 inbred C57BL/6 mice, recurrent epithelial keratitis stained with fluorescein was observed in 10 eyes of 9 mice during the observation period up to 50 days after the primary corneal infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I Amakata strain (virulent strain). Recurrent epithelial keratitis was observed in 17 eyes of 15 mice among 116 eyes of 58 ddy mice infected with HSV-I Ska strain (avirulent strain). The epithelial lesions showed punctate or dendritic patterns and continued for one to 7 days. HSV antigen was detected by the fluorescent antibody technique in the cornea of 5 out of 8 eyes which showed recurrent epithelial keratitis using another ddy mice group tested. It was limited in the epithelium of the cornea. These results show that mice herpetic keratitis recurs spontaneously.
Insights
Mice spontaneously develop recurrent herpetic keratitis after initial infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). This establishes a viable animal model for studying the mechanisms of recurrent epithelial keratitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) recurrence poses a significant clinical challenge.
- Understanding HSK recurrence mechanisms requires a reliable animal model.
- Previous models have limitations in spontaneous recurrence observation.
Purpose:
- To establish and validate a mouse model for spontaneous recurrent epithelial keratitis.
- To observe the occurrence and characteristics of recurrent HSK in mice.
- To detect herpes simplex virus (HSV) presence during recurrence.
Summary:
- Mice infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I were monitored for spontaneous recurrent epithelial keratitis.
- Recurrent lesions, characterized by punctate or dendritic patterns, were observed in both C57BL/6 and ddy mouse strains.
- HSV antigen was detected in the corneal epithelium of recurrently affected eyes, confirming viral involvement.
Impact:
- This study successfully establishes a mouse model for spontaneous recurrent herpetic keratitis.
- The model provides a platform for investigating the underlying mechanisms of HSK recurrence.
- Findings facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HSK.