Comparison of Types 1 and 2 Herpesvirus hominis Infection of Rabbit Eyes

In type 2 HVH infections, there was persistent epithelial loss and marked epithelial hyperplasia of the cornea; in type 1 infections, there was rapid recovery from the epithelial loss and by lack of epithelial hyperplasia. The stromal infiltration of inflammatory cells in type 2 infected eyes were deeper and more severe than in the type 1 infection. Infiltration of the endothelium, iris, and choroid by inflammatory cells was more frequently found in type 2 infected eyes than in type 1 infected eyes. Virus was recovered in high titers in type 1 infections, but ocular inflammation did not persist beyond the 15th to 16th day after inoculation. In contrast, in the type 2 infections, the virus was recovered in much lower titers while the inflammation was severe and persistent through day 31.