Expression of HSV-1 antigen in HSV-1 infected rabbit corneal cells in vitro

This experiment was performed to determine whether cultured rabbit corneal cells were infected with HSV-1. The direct immunofluorescent method was used to detect the presence of the herpes simplex antigen in HSV-1 infected corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes, and endothelial cells in vitro with fluorescein-labeled antiserum to HSV-1. Immunofluorescent localization of the HSV-1 antigen was expressed in all three types of corneal cells.