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STUDIES ON HERPETIC INFECTION IN MICE : III. THE VISCERAL LESIONS IN SUCKLING MICE
1Departments of Bacteriology and Medicine, The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.
Abstract:
Intranasal instillation of herpes virus in suckling mice results in specific lesions widely distributed in the viscera. The lungs are infected by aspiration of the virus. Virus disseminated by way of the blood establishes itself in endothelium in certain situations where parenchymal lesions result by direct spread from the vascular foci. Evidence of blood-borne infection was found frequently in the liver and spleen, less frequently in the suprarenals, and, in one instance, in the bone marrow. Renal infection appeared to be uriniferous. Lymph carriage of the virus also occurs, and lymph nodes draining infected areas were often found to contain herpetic inclusion bodies. Herpes virus seems incapable of invading the central nervous system of suckling mice by the vascular route.
Insights
Herpes virus infection in young mice causes widespread visceral lesions, primarily affecting the lungs, liver, and spleen via blood and lymph spread. The central nervous system appears resistant to vascular herpes virus invasion in this model.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Herpes virus infections can cause severe disease in neonates.
- Understanding viral dissemination pathways is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dissemination patterns and target organs of herpes virus following intranasal instillation in suckling mice.
- To determine the routes of viral spread, including hematogenous and lymphatic pathways.
- To assess the susceptibility of the central nervous system to herpes virus infection via the vascular route.
Main Methods:
- Intranasal instillation of herpes virus into suckling mice.
- Histopathological examination of visceral organs to identify viral lesions and inclusion bodies.
- Assessment of viral presence in blood and lymph for dissemination studies.
Main Results:
- Herpes virus infection led to widespread visceral lesions, with lungs infected by aspiration.
- Hematogenous spread resulted in infections of the liver, spleen, suprarenals, and bone marrow.
- Lymphatic spread was evident, with herpetic inclusion bodies found in draining lymph nodes.
- Renal infection was associated with the urinary tract.
- The central nervous system was not invaded via the vascular route.
Conclusions:
- Intranasal herpes virus instillation in suckling mice causes systemic infection with distinct patterns of organ involvement.
- Both hematogenous and lymphatic routes contribute significantly to viral dissemination.
- The vascular route does not appear to facilitate herpes virus entry into the central nervous system in this model.
