FIG. 3.

Five days after intraocular infection, we found HSV immunostained astroglial cells (asterisks) in the optic nerve in the ON1 segment of the animal that was not treated with valacyclovir (− Val) after infection (A and B). In contrast, there were relatively few HSV-positive glial cells (asterisk) in sections from the animal treated with the antiviral drug (+ Val) (D and E). Rare HSV-positive astroglial cells were identified in sections of the optic tracts from the animals that received no valacyclovir (C). In contrast, no HSV-positive glial cells were found in the optic tracts of animals that received valacyclovir 24 h after infection (F). For panels A, C, D, and F, sections were immunostained with a polyclonal antiserum to HSV. For panels B and E, sections were immunostained with a marker for astrocytes, GFAP. Magnification, ×400.