Visualization of replicating herpes simplex virus in cervical dorsal root ganglia of mice following explant of individual ganglion onto susceptible indicator cells.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes a latent state in the sensory ganglia of the peripheral nervous system of its natural or experimental host following primary infection. At various times thereafter, the virus can be reactivated from the latent state whereby it migrates back to the periphery and sometimes initiates a clinical syndrome referred to as recurrent disease. We inoculated mice in the right ear pinna and, following recovery from primary infection, killed the mice at various intervals following either the presence or absence of peripheral stimulations. Explanted cervical dorsal root ganglia yielded HSV in culture and was positive for HSV-like virus particles when viewed with the electron microscope. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed neuron degeneration, and corresponding HSV-specific immunoperoxidase stains were also positive. The data indicate that ganglionic cells are capable of supporting replicating HSV and that, in vitro, numerous ganglionic cells can be infected simultaneously.