Herpes simplex virus in the cornea; an ultrastructural study on viral reactivation.

Infectious HSV was isolated from the corneal disc of a patient with chronic stromal keratitis. A morphological study was performed on the corneal tissue after detection of HSV by organ culture. The characteristic features of HSV replication were observed within the keratocytes, including formation of nucleocapsid structures; encapsidation of viral DNA; envelopment and egress of virons. The following effects of viral replication upon cells were seen, margination and condensation of nuclear chromatin, formation of aberrant viral structures, re-duplication of nuclear membranes and cellular destruction. This study demonstrates that HSV replication occurs within keratocytes. HSV replication is an important step in the evolution of disciform herpetic keratitis.