Detection of herpes simplex virus induced polypeptides in rabbit trigeminal ganglia

The objective of this study was to follow herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome expression in rabbit trigeminal ganglia during primary, latent, and artificially reactivated infections using monospecific antiserum to representatives of the sequentially produced alpha, beta, and gamma group polypeptides. Rabbits with or without electrode implants were inoculated with 10(5) plaque forming units of McKrae strain HSV-1 following scarification and monitored by daily preocular tear film culture. Animals were killed during primary, latent, and artificially reactivated infections. Representative trigeminal ganglion sections from each animal were reacted with either preimmune rabbit serum, anti-HSV-1, anti-ICP-4, anti-ICP-8, or anti-ICP-5 sera. During primary infection, staining was evident in 30-40% of the ganglion cell nuclei with all antisera. During latency, staining with anti-ICP-4 was detected in 14 out of 18 ganglia tested; 10-15% of the ganglion cell nuclei per section exhibited positive staining. A +/- staining pattern with anti-ICP-8 was obtained in 5 out of 14 of the ganglia tested; 1-3% of the nuclei per section exhibited this staining pattern. Staining with anti-HSV-1 and anti-ICP-5 was not detected. During induced reactivation, staining of ganglion cell nuclei with all antisera was observed, but the number of cells staining per section was decreased compared to that observed during primary disease.