Assessing the Adaptability of Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 to New Host Cell Types
Open Access
- Author:
- Kim, Ellie
- Area of Honors:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Moriah Louise Szpara, Thesis Supervisor
Lorraine C Santy, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Herpes simplex virus
HSV-2
virology - Abstract:
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 is a common sexually transmitted infection that rarely causes death in adults, but it can produce severe disease for neonates. The severity of HSV-2 infection in neonates is very diverse, ranging from mild skin infections to fatal brain inflammation. Currently, it is not understood why infections with some strains of HSV-2 are more virulent, while other strains produce attenuated phenotypes in their hosts. In this project, two strains that produced a disseminated infection phenotype (C1-11 and C2-80) were analyzed in their ability to adapt to different host cells in a laboratory setting. We showed that viral adaptation happens quickly within two to three passages in cell culture, leading to enhanced plaque formation and cell-cell spread for both strains. Whole genome sequencing revealed few genetic changes occur as these viruses adapt over just a few days in culture. These results demonstrate the necessity for well-controlled environments when comparing various strains of HSV-2, as differences in growth conditions and environment have drastic effects on their phenotype. In addition, there were notable differences between strains in their ability to adapt to their respective environment. Strain C2-80 had larger plaques, areas of spread, viral load, and viral titers. These observations suggest that differences in adaptability in vitro may be an important factor that distinguishes between virulent and attenuated strains. The results from this study contribute to establishing phenotypic and genotypic profiles of neonatal HSV-2 infections to help build associations between these data and the severity of a given strain. The ability to predict the severity of an infection by characterizing the viral strain could be one approach to reducing HSV-2 neonatal infant mortality and debilitating disease.