Herpes simplex virus-induced demyelination. Effects of reinfection and challenge with neuroantigens.

Mice injected into the snout with the F-strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV) showed demyelination in the central part of the trigeminal root and brainstem. In this well characterized model the effect of reinfection with a virulent strain of HSV, and of immunization with UV-light-inactivated HSV and neuroantigens were examined. A marked enhancement of demyelination was found in mice immunized with spinal cord extracts in Freund's adjuvant prior to the HSV infection. Whether this effect is mediated by a general stimulation of inflammatory or immune competent cells or is dependent upon exposure to specific antigens is not known.