Adrenergic induction of HSV-1 ocular shedding in rabbits

Four groups of latently infected rabbits were induced to shed HSV-1 into the tear film by a one-time ocular iontophoresis of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HD) followed 3 days later by five consecutive days of twice daily topical epinephrine (Epi). Groups 1 and 4 had both eyes inoculated and Groups 2 and 3 had only one eye inoculated. Groups 1 and 2 had eyes swabbed to detect HSV-1, and Groups 3 and 4 had eyes washed. Group 1 was iontophoresed with 1.0% 6-HD at 0.5 mAmp for 5 min, and Groups 2, 3 and 4 were iontophoresed with 0.1% 6-HD at 0.75 mAmp for 5 min. Group 1 received topical 2.0% Epi, and Groups 2, 3, and 4 received topical 1.0% Epi. Inoculated eyes in all groups shed HSV-1 during the induction period. The peak of HSV-1 shedding occurred on the last day of Epi application for Groups 1 and 2, and on the day after the last Epi application for Groups 3 and 4. The ratio of total positive tear film samples to total samples for inoculated eyes that received 6-HD and Epi were 53/119 (45%), 38/87 (44%), 24/66 (36%), and 14/33 (42%) for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Therefore, even reduced concentrations of 6-HD and Epi, as well as beginning Epi 3 days after 6-HD, induced HSV-1 ocular shedding.