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Detection of herpes simplex virus in the ependyma of experimentally infected mice
R H Boerman1, A Mitro, B R Bloem
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leiden, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Forty-five Swiss albino mice were inoculated with HSV-1 (strain McKrae) by the corneal route. The spread of HSV to the brain stem and the ventricular ependyma was investigated. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HSV-DNA in the CSF during the course of infection. The ependyma of the third and fourth ventricle and the central canal contained viral antigen at a late stage of infection in up to 60% of mice. At this stage we found that many animals gave a positive PCR in the CSF although no antigen could be detected in the ependymal cells. The presence or absence of antigen containing cells could not be related to detection of HSV-DNA in the CSF. The results show that infection of the ventricular wall is not important for the spread of HSV to the CSF.
Insights
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can spread to the brain stem. Viral antigen in the ventricular ependyma does not correlate with HSV DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection can lead to neurological complications.
- Understanding HSV spread within the central nervous system (CNS) is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spread of HSV-1 to the brain stem and ventricular ependyma in a mouse model.
- To determine the correlation between viral antigen presence in the ependyma and HSV DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Main Methods:
- Forty-five Swiss albino mice were inoculated with HSV-1 (strain McKrae) via the corneal route.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed to detect HSV DNA in CSF throughout the infection course.
- Viral antigen detection in ependymal cells was performed at late stages of infection.
Main Results:
- HSV spread to the brain stem and ventricular ependyma was observed.
- Viral antigen was detected in the ependyma of up to 60% of mice at late infection stages.
- A significant number of mice showed positive PCR results for HSV DNA in CSF, irrespective of detectable ependymal antigen.
Conclusions:
- Infection of the ventricular wall is not a primary route for HSV spread to the CSF.
- The presence of viral antigen in ependymal cells does not directly correlate with HSV DNA detection in CSF.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of HSV dissemination to the CNS.