The survival of herpes simplex virus in preserved murine corneas.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the survival of HSV in infected mouse corneas, in the conditions of normal human eye bank preservation.


METHODS
Hundred seventy-two BALB/C mice infected with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) (KOS) were randomly assigned to either: no preservation in group 1 (n = 62), 31 degrees C preservation for 3 weeks in group 2 (n = 70) or 4 degrees C preservation for 8 days in group 3 (n = 40). The presence of HSV-1 was thereafter detected by viral culture and PCR.


RESULTS
In groups 1, 2 and 3, HSV-1 was detected by culture in 22 (35.5%), 1 (1.4%) and 0 (0.0%) of the corneas, and by PCR in 27 (43.7%), 3 (4.2%) and 7 (17.5%) of the corneas respectively. When compared to group 1, HSV was detected significantly less often in groups 2 (p < 0.0001) and 3 (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
HSV-1 DNA undergoes a degradation during corneal preservation.
Robert
Pierre-Yves
PY
Department of Ophthalmology, EA 3175, CHU Dupuytren, Limoges, France. pierre-yves.robert@unilim.fr
Ducher
Virginie
V
Pleyer
Uwe
U
Denis
François
F
Adenis
Jean-Paul
JP
Ranger-Rogez
Sylvie
S
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral