Models of Recurrent Infection with HSV in the Skin and Eye of the Mouse

Animal models remain essential for studies of many aspects of the biology of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Such studies include basic experiments on pathogenesis (including characterization of viral mutants), tests of antiviral drugs, and methods of immunization. With reference to models of recurrent infection, high levels of recurrence and clinical disease have been achieved with guinea pigs (particularly with genital infection) and rabbits (particularly with ocular infection; reviewed in ref. 1). However, in contrast to these animals, with the laboratory mouse there are many inbred and congenic lines; a major advantage for immunological studies. To this can now be added the growing technology of transgenic and "knockout" animals. For these reasons we have expended considerable effort in developing various mouse models of infection, particularly with HSV type 1 (HSV-1).