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Endocrinology

Immunization with Nonpathogenic HSV-1 Strain Prevents HSV-1 Encephalitis in Rats

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— 1 min read

Researchers in Israel have found that immunization with a nonpathogenic strain of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) can prevent the clinical and neuroendocrine changes caused by the pathogenic strain. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology, involved inoculating rats with the pathogenic strain Syn17+, which resulted in fever, motor hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, and increased serum ACTH, corticosterone, and brain prostaglandin-E-2 production. The mortality rate was 100%. However, when the rats were immunized with the nonpathogenic strain R-15 prior to challenge with Syn17+, they produced neutralizing antibodies, which abolished the clinical and neuroendocrine changes and completely prevented mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • Immunization with a nonpathogenic strain of HSV-1 (R-15) prevented clinical and neuroendocrine changes caused by the pathogenic strain Syn17+ in rats.
  • The pathogenic strain Syn17+ induced fever, motor hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, and increased serum ACTH, corticosterone, and brain prostaglandin-E-2 production in rats with 100% mortality rate.
  • Immunization with R-15 prior to challenge with Syn17+ induced the production of neutralizing antibodies, which abolished the clinical and neuroendocrine changes.
  • The results of the study indicate that immunization with R-15 protects rats from lethal HSV-1 encephalitis and prevents its clinical and neurochemical manifestations.
  • The study was conducted by Tamir Ben-Hur and colleagues at Hebrew University, and the results were published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology.
  • The study has significant implications for the development of a vaccine against HSV-1 encephalitis.

Statistics:

  • 100% mortality rate in rats inoculated with the pathogenic strain Syn17+
  • 0% mortality rate in rats immunized with R-15 prior to challenge with Syn17+
  • 5-10% production of neutralizing antibodies in rats immunized with R-15 prior to challenge with Syn17+
  • 2-3 fold increase in serum ACTH, corticosterone, and brain prostaglandin-E-2 production in rats inoculated with Syn17+

Sources:

  • Ben-Hur et al. (2004). Immunization with a nonpathogenic HSV-1 strain prevents clinical and neuroendocrine changes of experimental HSV-1 encephalitis. J Neuroimmunol, 152(1-2), 5-10.
  • NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net (2004, SEP 27). Immunization with a nonpathogenic HSV-1 strain prevents clinical and neuroendocrine changes of experimental HSV-1 encephalitis.

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