Herpes simplex virus encephalitis: cranial magnetic resonance imaging and neuropathology in a mouse model.
We performed a long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in a mouse model of herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Mice were infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain F. A 1.5-T cranial MRI scanner with standard spin-echo sequences was used. Neuropathological studies included immunohistochemistry. The presence of HSV DNA in brain tissue was determined with a polymerase chain reaction assay. Clinical assessment was performed daily: within the first 2 weeks the animals were severely affected and recovered thereafter. MRI and histopathological abnormalities corresponded well. HSV DNA was detectable initially and at 6 months. Extent and severity of structural abnormalities increased at 6 months. MRI offers a new in vivo approach for the detection of structural changes in the disease course of experimental herpes simplex virus encephalitis.
Department of Neurology, INF 400 Kopfklinik, Heidelberg, Germany. j79@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
U
U
Meyding-Lamadé
W
W
Lamadé
R
R
Kehm
K W
KW
Knopf
T
T
Hess
G
G
Gosztonyi
O
O
Degen
W
W
Hacke
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000473:pathology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology
D004279:DNA, Viral