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Herpes simplex virus: recurrent and nonrecurrent strains.
Summary
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) strain type determines recurrent disease frequency and shedding. Temperature influences HSV reactivation, with non-recurrent strains failing to replicate at host core temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes recurrent disease.
- Understanding HSV reactivation is crucial for disease management.
- Viral and host factors influence HSV recurrence frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between HSV strain characteristics and recurrent disease frequency.
- To explore the role of temperature in HSV reactivation and recurrence.
- To differentiate mechanisms regulating HSV reactivation and disease.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the New Zealand white rabbit eye model to study three HSV strains (McKrae, E-43, CGA-3) with varying recurrence frequencies.
- Assessed viral growth, disease manifestation, asymptomatic shedding, and iontophoretically induced recurrences.
- Investigated viral replication at different temperatures (33°C and 39°C) to understand temperature-dependency.
Main Results:
- All three HSV strains caused initial corneal disease, but only McKrae and E-43 exhibited recurrences and shedding.
- The non-recurrent CGA-3 strain failed to replicate at the host's core temperature (39°C) but replicated at 33°C, indicating temperature-dependent colonization and lack of recurrence.
- Fresh clinical isolates from HSV encephalitis and herpes labialis showed preferential growth at 39°C.
Conclusions:
- HSV strain type is a key determinant of recurrent disease type (lesions, shedding, or none).
- Viral reactivation and disease manifestation may be regulated by distinct mechanisms.
- Host factors likely play a role in regulating the frequency of recurrent HSV disease.