Recurrence of Herpes Simplex Virus Vin Rabbit Eyes: Results of a Three-Year Study

Abstract

Spontaneous reactivation of herpes simplex virus in rabbit ocular tissue was found on 112 occasions in 50 rabbits for up to 3 years after the primary eye infection. To detect these spontaneous reappearances of virus, cultures for herpes simplex virus were obtained 5 or 6 days a week from the cul-de-sac of rabbit eyes for various periods up to 3 years. Keratitis was also intermittently observed but 72 per cent of the viral reactivations occurred without coincidental corneal disease. Once the rabbit eye is infected with herpes simplex virus a chronic inapparent infection ensues which probably persists for the life of the animal.