Transneuronal spread of intraperitoneally administered herpes simplex virus type 1 from the abdomen via the vagus nerve to the brains of mice.

The MacIntyre strain of Herpes simplex virus type 1 was inoculated intraperitoneally into young male mice. Immunohistochemical detection of the virus antigen demonstrated the passage of virus from the gastro-intestinal myenteric plexus towards the brain and its distribution within the areas of brain related to the principal nuclei of the vagus nerve. Selective trapping of the virus in the autonomic nerves and subsequent localization of antigen behind the blood-brain barrier may prevent therapeutic effects of agents tested in this model.