EXPERIMENTAL INNER EAR PATHOLOGY WITH HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS INFECTION

I. INTRACEREBRAL INOCULATION OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS IN MICE

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus was inoculated intracerebrally to produce acute viral infection in the inner ear of suckling and adult mice.
The inner ear pathology and routes of infection to the inner ear were studied using histopathological observations and immunofluorescent antibody staining technique.
The following results and conclusions were obtained.
1) In suckling mice, the viral antigens were frequently demonstrated in the spiral ganglion and neural elements of the modiolus and internal auditory canal, and less frequently in the vestibular ganglion and the facial nerve. No viral antigens were found in the stria vascularis, Reissner's membrane and immature organ of Corti.
2) Histopathologically, specific inclusion-bearing cells were seen in the areas where the viral antigens were detected.
3) In suckling mice, demonstration of the viral antigens in the scala tympani depended on the amount of the inoculated solution which contained a constant viral titer.
4) No specific fluorescent staining was seen in any structure of the inner ear of adult mice in spite of wide-spread viral meningoencephalitis.
5) It is reasonable to presume that herpes simplex virus spreads from the infected meninges to the spiral ganglion and further to the organ of Corti at a more advanced stage.
6) It is evident that susceptibility to herpes simplex virus infection in the inner ear is agerelated.