[Dendritic lesions in herpes simplex infection of the cornea. Scanning and transmission-electron microscope findings (author's transl)].

Thirty rabbits were divided into 10 groups of 3 animals. In the case of each animal 1 drop of Herpes virus hominis suspension (HVH) was applied to the intact cornea of the right eye. Within the period between the 2nd and 20th day after infection occurred, three animals were killed each time and the corneae were examined by scanning- and transmission-electron microscope. Circular foci and dendritic lesions were observed starting with the 4th day. After the 12th day, dendritic lesions could no longer be observed. Circular foci and dendritic lesions possess a width of about 200 mu which remains unchanged during the entire observation period. The areas of ulceration are obscured by lateral epithelium migrations. The observation that epithelial lesions do not change their demensions over an extended period of time, speaks for an approximate time balance between cellular damage caused by the viruses and the migratory speed of the epithelium. This mechanism is disrupted in the neighboring circular foci. The cytotoxic effect is predominant. Circular foci are confluent. The dendritic lesion so characteristic for herpes simplex infection of the cornea is explained by the confluence of several circular foci which are accidentally positioned next to each other.