FIG.1.
Pathogenesis of vhs-deficient HSV-2 is not restored in SCID mice. Groups of four BALB/c and congenic CB.17-SCID mice were infected i.vag. with 2 × 106 PFU of vhs-deficient HSV-2, strain 333d41, or the vhs rescue virus 333d41R. (A) Replication in the genital mucosa of BALB/c and SCID mice. The titer of virus in vaginal swab samples was determined by standard plaque assay. Data points represent the geometric mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). (B) Severity of genital and neurological disease in BALB/c and SCID mice. Mice were scored for signs of disease as described in Materials and Methods. Values represent the arithmetic mean ± SEM. (C) Replication in the nervous systems of BALB/c and SCID mice. Mice were sacrificed 6 d postinfection. Brain, brainstem, and spinal cord tissues were disrupted by bead beating. Viral titers were determined by standard plaque assay. The dashed line indicates the limit of detection. Bars represent the geometric mean ± SEM.