MORPHOLOGY OF CENTRAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM DISEASE IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED MICE AFTER PERIPHERAL HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS INOCULATION - TRIGEMINAL ROOT ENTRY ZONE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (2) , 178-182
Abstract
Inoculation of mice and rabbits on the cornea with herpes simplex type 1 virus [HSV-1] causes an ascending infection of the trigeminal nerve, ganglion and descending tract within the brainstem. A discrete, destructive and primarily demyelinative lesion is seen on the CNS side of the trigerminal root entry zone 5-8 days after infection. In Swiss mice, immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide prior to infection with HSV causes a marked reduction of the mononuclear infiltrate within the CNS and a significant decrease in myelin destruction when compared with the infected, nonimmunosuppressed control animals. The content of virus in the brainstem was similar in both groups by day 8 as were the neutralizing antibody titers to HSV-1. The cellular response may play a definitive role in the destruction of CNS tissue after peripheral infection with HSV-1.