The syn3 strain HSZP of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) is not pathogenic for mice and shows limited neural spread

Strain HSZP of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) forms large giant cells in vitro. This property was found associated with a mutation that alters the codon CGC (in the strain KOS or 17 sequence) to CAC (in the HSZP sequence), changing the amino acid 857 from arginine to histidine in the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein B (gB) polypeptide chain. Giant cell formation by ANGpath was attributed to a mutation that alters the codon GCC (in KOS and strain 17 sequences) to GTC (in ANGpath sequence) changing the amino acid 854 in the same (syn3) region of the gB molecule. In contrast to the ANGpath virus, which is pathogenic (1 LD50< × 104 PFU) for adult DBA/2 mice after peripheral inoculation, strain HSZP was never found to be lethal for adult mice. Whereas ANGpath-infected mice which survived acute infection frequently (79%) developed latency in the regional sensory ganglion (as proved by virus reactivation during explantation), latent HSZP reactivated in ganglion culture at a considerably reduced rate (21%). Only 10-day-old DBA/2 mice were sensitive to HSZP infection. In these, HSZP spread from the site of peripheral administration mainly by hematogenous route. The neural spread of HSZP in suckling DBA/2 mice was manifested by the involvement of vegetative neurons in the wall of the small intestine and in the retroperitoneal vegetative ganglia. We conclude the HSZP, a polykaryocyte-forming strain with a mutation in the syn3 region II, shows limited neuroinvasity for mice after peripheral administration.