AIM: To establish a basis of in-depth study for herpes simplex keratitis through establishing different infection period herpes simplex keratitis mice model.

METHODS: Totally 125 Balb/c mice were scratched the word of "#" in cornea using the back of a razor blade cutting edge after anesthesia under the microscope. Among the total of 100 mice were inoculated with herpes simples virus type-Ⅰ. The rest of 25 mice were not inoculated with HSV-Ⅰas normal control group. Using 10g/L sodium fluorescein stained and slit lamp microscope observed the occurrence of corneal disease after operation everyday. Corneal surface tears were taken to carry on the detecting of human embryonic kidney epithelial cells(HEK293T)to define whether the viral replication. The latently infected mice model were exposed to ultraviolet-B light(UV -B)to induce the recurrence of HSK.

RESULTS: The eyes of 100 mice model which inoculated with HSV-Ⅰwere all appeared acute epithelial keratitis within 3 days after inoculation. The corneal inflammation disappeared after acyclovir eye drops treating for 1 week, but the virus detection of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)in cornea and trigeminal ganglion remained positive. The latently infected mice model were exposed to UV-B to induce the recurrence of HSK within 1 week, recurrent HSK were in the form of stromal HSV keratitis principally.

CONCLUSION: Balb/c mice were inoculated with HSV-I virus by corneal scarification, through UV-B rays establishing infected, latent, recurrent herpes simplex keratitis mice model, and the operation is relatively simple, convenient and easy.