Herpesvirus hominis Infection in Newborn Mice. I. An Experimental Model and Therapy with Iododeoxyuridine

Abstract

Although treatment of disseminated Herpesvirus hominis (HVH) infections of the newborn human infant has resulted in both success and failure, there have been no controlled studies to evaluate the effect of therapy on either the outcome or the pathogenesis of the disease. Infection of the newborn mouse with the genital type 2 strain of HVH by the intranasal route provides an experimental model of the disease in man. After inoculation of a mouse, the virus multiplies in the lung and is disseminated through the blood to the liver and spleen, and to the brain by both viremia and nerve-route transmission. Therapy with iododeoxyuridine (IUDR) did not affect mortality, although a significant effect on pathogenesis was observed. Viral replication in the lung was reduced, and viremia, as well as subsequent involvement of liver and spleen, was completely eliminated. In contrast, nerve-route transmission to and replication of virus in the central nervous system (CNS) was not affected by therapy. Lack of inhibition of viral replication in the CNS appeared to be due to inadequate levels of IUDR in brain tissue and is the likely explanation for the therapeutic failure of IUDR in this model infection. These observations suggest possible reasons for the variable results reported in the treatment with IUDR of disseminated herpesvirus infections of newborn human infants.