Endothelial lesions of rabbit cornea produced by herpes simplex virus.

Microscopic lesions of corneal endothelium produced by herpes simplex virus were studied in flat preparation of the endothelium following injection of the virus into the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye. The intraocular injection of the virus produced corneal opacity, characteristic endothelial lesions, and uveitis. These ocular changes were virus specific, and were accompanied by virus multiplication in the tissues. The virus was isolated readily from the aqueous humor of the infected eyes during the peak period of virus multiplication in the infected tissues. The endothelial lesions observed were: (1) derangement of endothelial cells, (2) discrete focal lesions (plaques), and (3) diffuse lesions. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions were seen with varying frequencies in the cells of both focal and diffuse lesions. Only the diffuse lesions appeared to be directly related to the production of corneal opacity.