[Herpes Simplex Keratitis under the Scanning lectron Microscope(author's transl)].

In 12 rabbits a dendritic keratitis could be provoked by applying a suspension of herpes viruses (Herpes virus hominis -- HVH type 1) onto their previously both uviolised and non-uviolised corneae. 4 days later ophthalmectomy was performed and the corneae were examined by the scanning electron microscope. Macroscopically, both in the uviolised eyes and the control eyes punctiform lesions of the corneae were observed. After short ray-treatment (3 min) no differences were present between the uviolised and non-uviolised eyes. At longer time of exposure (7--15 min), however, a more distinct alteration occurred in the uviolised eye. The scanning-electron-microscopical picture showed the dendritic lesions to be composed of numerous circular foci of 100 to 200 mu. There were no differences in the lesions of the uviolised and non-uviolised corneae. The fact that after ultraviolet ray-treatment a great part of the epithelial cells is sloughed off, but, nevertheless, the same dendritic lesions develop, contradicts the assumption of a morphological substrate of the epithelial cells being the inducing factor.