Electron microscopic demonstration of herpes simplex virus-i after up inoculation in rabbit

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSl is recognized lo be the identifiable cause of herpes labialis in humans. The aim of the sent research was to demonstrate the viral particles in labial mucosa at different periods in rabbit after lip inoculation with HSl-1. Eight rabbits were lip inoculated with HSl'-1. They were then sacrificed al 3.7,14 and 21 days. Two rabbits were served as controls and were sacrificed at 3 and 14 days. The biopsy specimens were fixed in 2.5 % glutaraldehyde. processed and examined using the JEOL CX I 00 transmission electron microscope. The findings of the present work indicated that the viral particles of HSl'-/ were mainly detected within the nuclei and some in the cytoplasm of the epithelial, mesenchymal and Schwann cells in most of the specimens up lo 14 days. However, few viral particles were also evident in the nuclei of the epithelial cells in the 21 day specimens. The control specimens were devoid of any viral particles. In conclusion, the presence of HSl'-1 viral panicles in the nuclei of the epithelial, mesenchymal and nerve cells indicate that this type of virus is mainly restricted to these sites. Consequently, the present report revealed that the development of herpetic lesions in the selected animal model is similar lo herpetic infection in humans regarding the clinical and microscopic episodes.