Objectives: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can cause the typical fever blister or cold sore in the oropharyngeal region and in rare case can produce encephalitis with severe neurological sequelae. Virulence of HSV-1 in mice had been demonstrated to be dependent on the site of infection. We examined inflammatory condition of pertinent organs with histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activities in the different infectious routes of HSV-1.

Methods: HSV-1 virulent strain of Miyama GC+ (100% lethal doses inraperitoneally(IP) was inoculated into Balb/c mice by two different routes, IP or intragingivally (IG). The liver, spleen, lungs and brain were removed in 12, 24,48 and 96 hours after the viral infection, and they were homogenized. The HDC activity in each organ, and histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT)levels in brain were measured.

Results: When mice were infected with 10⁶PFU of Miyama GC+ strain, the mortality rates were 100% IP and 0% IG, respectively. When mice were infected IP, HDC activity in lung significantly elevated 12 hours after viral infection (p<0.05) compared with uninfected mice. In a part of brain, HDC activity significantly elevated 24 hours after the infection. On the other hand, when mice were infected with gingival route, a significant increase in HDC activity in spleen was observed (p<0.01).

Conclusions: We found that HSV-1 infection elevated HDC activity in various organs.

A different of inflammatory reaction with each organs by HSV-1 infectious route may affect pathogenicity

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