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Latent herpes simplex virus in spinal ganglia of mice
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 27, 1971
Abstract:
Herpes simplex virus establishes a persistent, latent infection in spinal ganglia after mice have recovered from posterior paralysis. Infectious virus is replicated when these ganglia are explanted and maintained as organ cultures in vitro.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus establishes lifelong latent infections in mouse spinal ganglia. Infectious virus can be reactivated from these ganglia in laboratory cultures.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common human pathogen.
- HSV establishes lifelong, latent infections in neurons.
- Reactivation of latent HSV can cause recurrent disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the establishment and persistence of latent HSV infection in the nervous system.
- To determine if infectious HSV can be recovered from latently infected tissues.
- To explore the potential for viral replication in explanted neural tissues.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with HSV and allowed to recover from initial symptoms.
- Spinal ganglia were harvested from infected mice at various time points.
- Harvested ganglia were cultured in vitro to assess viral replication.
Main Results:
- HSV established persistent, latent infections in mouse spinal ganglia.
- Infectious HSV was successfully replicated when these ganglia were maintained as organ cultures.
- Viral replication in vitro indicates the presence of latent, infectious virus.
Conclusions:
- Spinal ganglia are a site for persistent HSV latency.
- Latent HSV within ganglia can be reactivated and replicated under in vitro conditions.
- This model provides a system for studying HSV latency and reactivation mechanisms.