HERPETIC-KERATITIS IN ATHYMIC (NUDE) MICE

The inflammatory response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the cornea was studied in athymic nude (nu/nu) and heterozygote (nu/+) BALB/c mice. Although athymic mice were highly susceptible to HSV infection and died 13-17 days after corneal inoculation, they failed to develop necrotizing keratitis of the cornea. Heterozygote mice survived the initial viral infection but many of these mice developed necrotizing keratitis and permanent corneal scarring. EM and light microscopy showed numerous inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes) in the corneas of heterozygote mice but not in the athymic mice. The immune system may play a dual role in HSV infection of the cornea and protection against dissemination of the virus and immunopathogenesis of necrotizing keratitis in the cornea.