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Antigens of herpes simplex virus in whole corneal epithelial sheets from mice
Abstract:
Mice were inoculated with herpes simplex virus in the skin of the snout or by scarification on the cornea and then examined for eye disease using a slit lamp. Whole mounts of corneal epithelium were stained for virus antigens by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, and infectious virus was isolated from eyewashings. Antigens were present one day after corneal inoculation, but after inoculation of the snout, there was a delay of three days before antigens were seen. This delay and the distribution of antigens were evidence of zosteriform spread from the snout to the eye via the nervous system. Disease of the cornea varied in severity and timing depending on the site of inoculation. The peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was more sensitive than isolation of virus from eyewashings and allowed the site and distribution of infected cells to be seen.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus spread from the snout to the eye via nerves, causing eye disease in mice. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining detected viral antigens more effectively than virus isolation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Ophthalmology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause ocular disease.
- Understanding HSV spread is crucial for preventing vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spread of HSV from the snout to the eye in a mouse model.
- To compare the sensitivity of different diagnostic methods for ocular HSV infection.
Main Methods:
- Mice were inoculated with HSV on the snout or cornea.
- Eye disease was assessed using slit-lamp examination.
- Corneal epithelium was stained for viral antigens using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method.
- Infectious virus was isolated from eyewashings.
Main Results:
- Viral antigens appeared one day after corneal inoculation but were delayed by three days after snout inoculation.
- Zosteriform spread from snout to eye via the nervous system was observed.
- Corneal disease severity and timing varied with inoculation site.
- The PAP method was more sensitive than virus isolation for detecting HSV antigens.
Conclusions:
- HSV can spread from peripheral inoculation sites to the eye via neural pathways.
- The PAP method is a highly sensitive technique for diagnosing ocular HSV infections and visualizing viral spread.