Figure 6. Effect of topical dexamethasone treatment during the first 8 d of HSV-1 infection on serum neutralization titers.

Blood samples were collected at 9, 10, 12, and 30 d from the facial vein of infected mice treated with VEH and DEX. Serum in each sample was separated and used for the virus neutralization assay. Bar graphs show, for each group, the neutralization titer (reciprocal serum dilution at which a 50% reduction in cytopathic effect was observed) means ± sem. n = 4–6 for 9- and 12-d p.i. groups, n = 6–8 for 10-d p.i. groups (2 independent experiments), and n = 12–14 for 30-d p.i. groups (4 independent experiments). *P < 0.05 by unpaired t test comparison.