Pathogenesis of Herpes Simplex Virus in the Rabbit Eye

The pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus in the rabbit eye was studied in a nonimmunized as well as immunized host by gross observations of the corneal epithelial lesions and by virus titration of corneal epithelial scrapings in rabbit kidney cultures. A marked reduction in severity of infection was noted in the immune rabbits. The multi-cycle of the virus in the nonimmune rabbit was found to possess characteristics similar to those reported in other hosts. Treatment of the infection with 5-iodo-2′-desoxyuridine was accompanied by a reduction in virus titer within the corneal epithelial cells as well as by a gradual reduction in the severity of the corneal herpetic lesions during therapy.