HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-2 INDUCED RETINAL NECROSIS IN BALB C MICE/

We injected herpes simplex virus type 2 of MS- or G-strain into the an terior chamber of BALB/c mice. In the contralateral eye inflammatory c ell infiltration began in the ciliary body; focal retinitis, detected by day 8, led to total destruction of the retina by day 10. Contralate ral disease was observed in 75% of mice inoculated with 8 x 10(3) pfu herpes simplex virus type 2, but in only 20% of mice receiving 80 pfu herpes simplex virus type 2. Still this low concentration, however, pr oduced a suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Anti-herpe s simplex virus type 2 antiboy, first detected on day 8, reached hight titers on day 10; by then, most of the mice had died of encephalitis. The G-strain of herpes simplex virus type 2 was more neurotoxic than the MS-strain, but produced the same incidence of contralateral retini tis. Herpes simplex virus type 2 produces contralateral necrotizing re tinitis comparable to that produced by herpes simplex virus type 1. Th ese findings, like those of other authors, suggest a role for herpes s implex virus type 2 in some cases of acute retinal necrosis in humans.