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Recurrence phenotypes and establishment of latency following rabbit keratitis produced by multiple herpes simplex
Abstract:
Distinct high frequency recurrence (HFRc) or low frequency recurrence (LFRc) phenotypes were observed following rabbit keratitis with three type 1 and five type 2 herpes simplex virus strains. LFRc strains were found to have latently infected the animal but were detected very rarely, if at all, in the eye following the acute phase. The recurrence phenotypes defined in singly infected animals remained unchanged following bilateral infection of the same animal with strains of opposite phenotype. Cocultivation of virus from bilaterally infected animals showed that both virus strains were capable of latently infecting the same animal. Restriction enzyme analysis of plaque-purified virus revealed that some ganglia were latently infected with both parental strains. Recombinants were also found. Some latently infected animals could be re-infected acutely. However, establishment of latency by the superinfecting strain was inhibited.
Insights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains exhibit distinct recurrence patterns in rabbits, with high frequency recurrence (HFRc) and low frequency recurrence (LFRc) phenotypes. Both HSV types can establish dual latency within the same animal, impacting subsequent infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes keratitis, a significant ocular infection.
- Recurrence phenotypes, high frequency recurrence (HFRc) and low frequency recurrence (LFRc), are observed in HSV keratitis.
- Understanding HSV latency and recurrence is crucial for managing ocular infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the recurrence phenotypes of different HSV strains (Type 1 and Type 2) in rabbit keratitis.
- To determine if dual latency can be established by different HSV strains in the same animal.
- To assess the impact of superinfection on established HSV latency.
Main Methods:
- Infection of rabbits with distinct Type 1 and Type 2 HSV strains to observe keratitis recurrence.
- Cocultivation techniques to detect latent virus in ocular tissues.
- Restriction enzyme analysis to characterize viral DNA in infected ganglia.
- Superinfection experiments to study the effects on established latency.
Main Results:
- Distinct HFRc and LFRc phenotypes were observed with various HSV strains.
- Low frequency recurrence (LFRc) strains established rare, but detectable, latency.
- Bilateral infections confirmed that both HSV strains could establish latency in the same animal.
- Recombinant viruses were detected, and superinfection inhibited the establishment of new latency.
Conclusions:
- HSV keratitis exhibits distinct recurrence patterns influenced by viral strain.
- Dual latency of different HSV strains within the same host is possible.
- Established HSV latency can resist superinfection, suggesting a protective mechanism.