MACROSCOPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE LIVER DURING HSV1

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Aim. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is quite prevalent in general population. HSV-1 can be reactivated in nerve system, but the question of herpetic damage of the liver remains open. Aim - the morphological study of liver during HSV-1 infection. Material and Methods. 30 BALB/c line mice weighing 18-20 g were infected by HSV-1 (strain VC, specifically adapted to studies on laboratory mice) in the amount of 4.0 lg LD50. On day 5, 10 and 30 animals were removed from the experiment. The mice liver was collected on a histological study and weighed. Additionally, the visual assessment of the state of the liver: color, blood supply, consistency. Results. The liver mass in animals with HSV-I was decrease at 20.2% for 10 days and 22.5% for 30 days (p<0.05). On day 5 and 10 after infection the histological structure of liver was not distorted, but hepatocytes had marked cytopathological signs (cells hypertrophy, swelling around the hypertrophied nuclei). The macrophage infiltration was observed in the lobular hemocapillaries. On day 30 the density and area of infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes and lymphocytes were significant increased. Thed hyperemia of hemocappilaries and central veins and local hemorrhages were observed. Cytopathology of hepatocytes were diffuse or focal diffuse. Moreover, the degree of damage was lower compared to the early period of the study. Conclusions. HSV-1 causes dystrophic and lithic changes in hepatocytes, which affects the reduction of liver mass which explain the development of acute herpetic hepatitis.