Varicella-zoster virus ocular infection in the rabbit

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ocular infection, zoster ophthalmicus, is a severe, debilitating ocular disease. VZV reactivation and subsequent disease results in spread of the virus through the cavernous sinus with VZV transmission to multiple ocular structures. [1-3] Several in vivo models of VZV infection have been characterized, including the rat, mouse, guinea pig, and primate. [4-8] Many of these models demonstrate seroconversion to VZV with variable vesicular disease and exanthem development. This study describes the rabbit ocular VZV infection model, which demonstrates development of superficial and deeper ocular disease, seroconversion, and development of latent infection (VZV genome retention). New Zealand white rabbits (1.5 to 2.0 kg) were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine and acepromazine. Eyes were immobilized and topical proparacaine (0.1%) administered. VZV strain Mck was grown to high titer (105) in MRC-5 cells. VZV-infected MRC-5 cells were removed from culture flasks by scraping and centrifugation. The cell-associated VZV inoculum was concentrated and placed into tuberculin syringes. One hundred microliters of …