[Study of an experimental herpesvirus infection during irradiation]

Ionising radiation (IR) in experiment is a factor aggravating herpes virus infection in mice. A direct relationship exists between radiation dose, survival and mean life span of mice. Immunofluorscent test demonstrates that there are similar location and dynamic intensity of fluorescence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen in hepatocytes and cerebral cells from both infected and irradiated then infected animals. Radiation does not influence virus reproduction. In irradiated and infected mice IR suppressed functional activity of immunocompetent cell populations responsible for immunity. This suppression was accompanied with some disorders in immunological parameters: enhancement of spontaneous reactivity of splenocytes, reduction of titres of antibodies against HSV in the serum and of antigen- and mitogen-induced splenocyte ability to proliferate. The splenocytes and bone marrow cells in irradiated and infected mice are able to produce alpha- and gamma-interferons. However, the dynamics of interferon production was different evidencing radiation- and HSV-induced damage to macrophage-reticuloendothelium.