Experimental vestibular neuritis induced by herpes simplex virus.

An animal model of vestibular neuritis was developed by inoculating herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the auricle of a mouse. Deviation of the body was observed in 4 of 30 mice 6 days after inoculation. These animals were sacrificed 6 to 10 days after inoculation and the vestibular nerve was examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. The HSV-1 antigens were recognized exclusively in Scarpa's ganglion of the vestibular nerve in 2 of 4 mice in which signs of vestibular involvement were manifested.