MACROPHAGES AND MICROGLIA IN HSV-1 INFECTED-MOUSE BRAIN

We have examined the macrophage and microglial cell response in mouse brains during the course of acute herpes simplex encephalitis produced by intranasal inoculation of virus. Macrophage infiltration and a mic roglial cell reaction were detected from 24 h after initial detection of HSV-1 antigen in brain. Macrophage infiltration was confined to foc al areas of infection but the microglial cell reaction occurred in a m ore widespread distribution. Following disappearance of viral antigen, with resolution of the acute infection, macrophage infiltration and a focal microglial cell reaction remained for several weeks, providing a marker of sites of previous infection.