Enhanced intrauterine transmission of herpes simplex virus infection in immunosuppressed hamsters.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection during pregnancy in man may result in abortion, fetal death, perinatal infection and malformations (1–6). The source of infection in the newborns is obscure; it is unknown whether they are infected in utero transplacentally or their infection is acquired during delivery through the birth canal. There is some evidence suggesting vertical transmission of HSV infection in the mother (7–9). In animal experiments, vertical transmission of HSV infection has been demonstrated in rabbit, mouse, hamster and cat (10–14). We have documented elsewhere (15) that type 1 and 2 HSV caused placental lesions and vertical transmission of the infection in the mother into the fetus when the virus was inoculated intravenously (IV) at the middle and late stage of pregnancy.