A rat model of herpes encephalitis with special reference to its potential for the development of diagnostic brain imaging.

A rat model of herpes encephalitis using intraocular inoculation of herpes simplex virus strain SC16 was investigated. Virus distribution in the brain was examined by virus isolation and immunocytochemical staining using immuno-gold silver and peroxidase-anti-peroxidase. At 5 days post-infection virus was found in the thalamus, hypothalamus, septum, colliculus, geniculate bodies, the pons, trapezoidium and medulla oblongata, but less frequently, in the cerebellum and occipital lobes. Possible routes of spread of virus and the potential of this model in neuro-radiological scanning procedures are discussed.