FIG 3.

Histopathology and localization of HSV-2 antigen and T cells in vaginal mucosa obtained at necropsy. (A and B) Images are from a region of vaginal mucosa with obvious histopathology. (A) Within the squamous epithelium and lamina propria there were multiple focal areas with mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrates. In the lamina propria, the inflammatory cells surrounded small blood and lymphatic vessels that were distended by edema. In the stratified squamous epithelium, the inflammatory cell infiltrates were focused in areas with acantholytic and degenerating epithelial cells. (B) Higher magnification of the inset from panel A. There is widespread acantholysis in the stratified squamous epithelium with ballooning degeneration of epithelial cells. The arrows indicate some of the numerous eosinophilic (red) intranuclear inclusion bodies and marginated chromatin within epithelial cells that are characteristic of herpesvirus infection. (C to F) Images are from a region of the vaginal mucosa with mild histopathology. (C) Normal epithelium with numerous layers characteristic of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. There is a mild mononuclear cell infiltrate with edema centered on the basal epithelial layer, superficial lamina propria, and around small vessels. Lymphatic vessels are distended with fluid. (D and E) Immunofluorescent staining for HSV-2 antigen (green) and CD8⁺ T cells (red). HSV-2 antigen is expressed in a few basal epithelial cells and mononuclear cells in the lamina propria (arrows). (F) Immunofluorescent staining for CD4⁺ (green) and CD8⁺ (red) T cells.